In a recent email sent to KCL teaching staff and GTAs, King’s administration outlined a preliminary teaching plan for the coming academic year.
The message stated that “the likelihood of commencing campus-based teaching in September will depend on both UK Government policy and international travel restrictions.”
King’s then stated that all programs would be offered online until the end of first term, regardless of whether in-person is reinstated. Should the latter be the case, students will have the option to either attend lectures on campus or online.
The email recently sent to KCL teaching staff.
The situation will be kept in “constant review”. For students whose modules are not feasible in an online setting, King’s will “discuss with students their options for interruption or deferment until the situation is resolved.”
The KCL representative ensured that the administration is aware of the challenges students are facing as a result of the current pandemic. They also made clear that holding online courses for first years new to the university will be “no trivial undertaking.”
This news comes after a recent report by UCU and London Economics warning of fewer freshers in the coming academic year, which would have a notable impact on university income across the UK. Despite this, there is substantial evidence that KCL “has the capacity” for high-quality online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is currently unclear when governmental restrictions will be lifted in the UK, though some sources have suggested they will last at least until the end of 2020. Students are yet to receive information from KCL or individual departments regarding potential plans for online teaching next year.
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