Friday 25 March marks the end of term two at Royal Holloway and I’d like to update you on how our academic year has progressed.

The UK Government lockdown began on 23 March 2020 and we have all experienced an unprecedented two years. With all legal restrictions now lifted, I believe we are now reaching the stage when we can genuinely begin to feel we can move forward with a degree of confidence.  During what has been arguably one of the most challenging years in the history of our university, we are proud of how our students and staff have played their part to help manage infection rates across our campus and extended community.

In terms of infection rates this term, 329 students and 74 staff have reported that they had been on campus and tested positive for Covid-19. This is out of a total of 809 students and 197 staff who have reported positive tests to the university. We have supported our students through 895 periods of self-isolation. We have been reporting these statistics on a weekly basis however, with all legal Covid-19 restrictions having been lifted by the UK Government, as well as changes to testing, we will no longer be reporting these figures after the end of term two.

Our summer term begins on Monday 25 April 2022, when students will be returning for their exams and assessments which will be held on campus and online depending on the needs of each course. The health and safety of our whole community remains a priority and we will support people who choose to wear a face covering.

We expect to have removed all campus Covid-19 measures for our new 2022/23 academic year which begins on 19 September 2022.

Thank you for your continued support of the university, and I wish you all a safe and healthy spring and summer.