University to introduce blended approach to learning including in person and virtual classes

Queen’s University Belfast, part of the prestigious Russell Group and is the 9th oldest university in the UK is all set to open doors to international students in September 2020. The University will be adopting new safety measures for students and will introduce blended learning: which will include face-to-face and online teaching to ensure the wellbeing of students. Additionally, as a safety measure, international students will be offered complimentary comfortable accommodation to quarantine for 14 days following the guidelines by the UK Government if the quarantine measures will be required.

Queen’s University Belfast is introducing enhanced hygiene measures across the campus so that it can continue to deliver face-to-face teaching. These include face coverings and hand sanitiser for all staff and students, social distancing protocols, increased cleaning across the university and access to swift testing for COVID-19.

The University’s accommodation, which is considered among the best in the UK, will remain open with capacity restrictions. Its 200 clubs and societies will also be operating in line with UK government and social distancing guidelines.

There will be a strong emphasis on blended learning at Queen’s University Belfast from September, with face-to-face teaching still being delivered as much as possible with social distancing applied. This will be complemented by high quality digital delivery where necessary that will include a mix of pre-recorded lessons, online interactive teaching sessions and live-streamed lectures.

Professor Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, said offering students a safe and enriching university experience is our priority, “Our approach has been long-considered and encompasses stringent safety as well as our desire to offer students the best possible university experience in these unusual times. We are confident that students coming in September can feel reassured that we are doing everything in our power to ensure their safety as well as giving them a memorable and meaningful campus experience, underpinned by blended teaching and academic excellence.”

According a recent study by Leverage Edu, 91% Indian students want to continue studying abroad even in Covid-19 lockdown and identify UK as the most preferred destinations for Indian students to work and study.

Queen’s University Belfast is part of the prestigious Russell Group and is the 9th oldest university in the UK. It is ranked in the top 140 in the world for graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020) and 22nd in the world for international outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020).Northern Ireland currently has the lowest rate of COVID-19 infection in the UK and, with a population of 1.8 million, is the least populated country in the UK.