To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans he has to support students that wish to defer their 2020-21 academic year as a result of their academic tuition potentially being taught in-part or fully online.
Answered on
24 June 2020
There is no need for students to defer entry this year unless they want to.
We understand this has been a difficult and uncertain time for students, but we are working with the sector to make sure all reasonable efforts are being made to enable students to continue their studies. We have seen some fantastic and innovative examples of high-quality online teaching being delivered by providers across the country.
Furthermore, for the next academic year, providers are planning for a blended approach, where teaching is delivered through a mix of online and face-to-face provision, or a dual approach with face-to-face provision replicated online to support those who are unable to attend in person and to allow self-isolation as and when required as societal and personal circumstances change.
If students do want to defer, it is a matter for individual providers and not the government, so students should speak to their providers directly to determine what flexibility exists.
Given the exceptional circumstances, the government would encourage all providers to offer as much flexibility as possible for all students, whether they are international or domestic.