COVID-19: our university community commitment

We are a diverse community, with students, staff, and visitors joining us from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.

We are asking everyone to commit to being covid aware on campus and in the community, to keep us all safe as we begin to study and socialise together again.

While most government restrictions have been lifted, there are still guidelines in place to manage the risks related to COVID-19, as well as legal requirements around self-isolation. Make sure you keep up to date with any changes to this guidance.

Government COVID-19 advice

Office for Students advice

These commitments sit alongside the university’s general expectations around student behaviour both on campus and in the community.

On campus

What you can do

  • We strongly encourage you to wear a face covering when moving around inside university buildings – including corridors, stairs, lifts, communal areas, libraries, Students’ Union shops and when queuing for food or drink.
  • You can choose to wear a face covering in class or more widely on campus, if you wish to do so. Be mindful of students and staff who may need priority access to lifts or who are unable to wear a face covering.
  • Be respectful of other people’s personal space. There is directional signage, occupancy limit notices and ventilation reminders across campus to help with this. 
  • Wash your hands and use hand sanitising stations regularly, especially when entering university buildings.
  • COVID-19 vaccines are reducing the link between infection and serious illness. We encourage all students and colleagues who are eligible for the vaccine to get both doses as soon as they can.
  • Keep taking twice weekly lateral flow tests and report your results online – search for University of Brighton in the list of education providers. You can order free lateral flow test kits via the government website or collect them from sites across the university.

Measures we have in place

  • Some rooms and learning spaces have occupancy limits, to allow for people to keep their distance. Please do not exceed these limits and remember to keep windows open to improve ventilation.
  • Some courses, workshops, labs and studios will have additional requirements in place. Please take time to familiarise yourself with these. Course leaders and technicians should be able to assist with any questions about this. 
  • All of our fitness facilities, libraries, study spaces, cafes and our wellbeing services at student centres and information desks are open. Please adhere to directional signage, occupancy limits and ventilation reminders when using these spaces.

Food and drink

  • Catering outlets will still have QR codes in place should you wish to check into the venue to assist with contact tracing.
  • Remember that all transactions are now cashless.
  • When moving furniture, be mindful that some people may still want to keep their distance.

Your wellbeing

If you feel ill

  • Do not come onto campus if you are feeling unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms.
  • If you fall ill on campus, put your face covering on and move away from others.
  • You must go home to self-isolate immediately and get a PCR test, even if your symptoms are mild. 
  • Follow Public Health England (PHE) instructions on self-isolation until you get your results.
  • If your PCR test result is positive: 
    • report your positive test to the university – students via the My Brighton app, and staff via the self declaration tab on My View
    • follow government requirements around self-isolation
    • work with the NHS Test & Trace team to ensure that people you have been in close contact with can be identified and contacted if needed. Remember to tell the tracer that you have been on campus in Brighton or Eastbourne.
Be kind to yourself graphic

At home

  • Government guidelines advise meeting outside where possible, and keeping windows and doors open for indoor visitors.
  • If one of your housemates has COVID-19 symptoms, your household should follow the self-isolation regulations until their diagnosis has been confirmed (or not).
  • Show empathy, respect and due consideration to others in your household and to our neighbours. 
  • When off campus, be respectful of our local communities, following government and PHE guidelines at all times. Try and walk or cycle between campus and home whenever possible.

Wellbeing tips

  • Be aware that mixing with new people in larger numbers may be a source of anxiety for some.
  • Look out for your peers, friends, and those you live, learn or work with. If you are worried about someone, or you are struggling yourself, please ask for help.
  • You can speak to your course leader, SSGT, line manager, or a member of our Residential Wellbeing Team or our wider Student Wellbeing Service Support Network, who can all offer help and support.
  • There are lots of self-help guides on the Wellbeing pages of the website. Staff and students can access free confidential advice through the Togetherall service, too.