Student Update: Road to Reopening @WLV – WLV Welcome, Enrolment, Timetabling and Library Update

Please be aware that this information was shared with students by email and correct at the time of sending. For the latest Covid-19 guidance, please visit our coronavirus webpages: www.wlv.ac.uk/coronavirus. If you are a student who has a query or needs support, please log a helpcall with ASK@WLV in e:Vision (www.wlv.ac.uk/evision).

We look forward to welcoming you back to the University of Wolverhampton for the next academic year, and to ensure you have everything you need when teaching starts, you can now visit our WLV Welcome webpages for both new and returning students.

We’re planning a rolling programme of fun activities as part of our WLV Welcome this year and given the current situation, we’ll be hosting a range of social and interactive activities on-campus and online from the September and into October.

You can find a taster of what we have planned on the WLV Welcome webpages and on our social media channels.

Enrol on your course and register for your modules

All new and returning students are required to enrol at the start of each academic year. This year you can do this online before arriving on campus. Enrolment will allow you to:

• Check and update your details (like your address, contact numbers and email address).
• Ensure continued access to University services, facilities and Canvas.
• Retain access to your supervisors, academic and administrative staff.
• Review and agree to our on-campus safety guidelines.

Enrolment instructions

For continuing students, once you have obtained enough credits to progress on to your next year of study, you will be notified that enrolment and module registration is open for you in e:Vision.

It is important that you complete both tasks as soon as possible so that we can prepare your personalised timetable ahead of the new academic year.

You will need to log in to your e:Vision and select the ‘Enrolment’ button on the home page. From here you’ll be able to upload your ID photo, add your personal details and tell us how you’re funding your studies. Once you have completed the Personal Details, Education and Fees sections, you’ll then be able to move on to Module Registration. Before your enrolment is complete, you will need to upload your photo ID and complete the Confirmation task.

You can find further instructions, including a step-by-step video guide on how to enrol here: wlv.ac.uk/enrol-online

Timetabling update

We have been working hard to ensure that our campus is COVID-secure for the start of term. This means that there will be strict social distancing measures and other controls, such as wearing of face-masks, which will be in place in line with local authority and Government requirements at any time.

As part of these social distancing measures you will not be learning in large groups (so any large group lectures will be online). Seminars, workshops and laboratories will have far fewer people in them and teaching rooms will be marked out to ensure there is sufficient distance between occupants.

We are carrying out Health & Safety checks across all our campuses to ensure social distancing measures are in place, and that students can be safe when they return to the University from September. This is a rigorous planning exercise which will ensure that we identify the most suitable space for teaching based on the number of students that can be accommodated in each room safely.

We recognise that many of our students will have additional commitments outside their studies, so we are doing all we can to ensure timetables are ready as soon as possible. These are exceptional circumstances and we really appreciate your patience in relation to this in these challenging times.

Extended teaching week

To make sure we can offer as much in-person teaching as possible, both on-campus and online, we are extending our teaching hours. Teaching during Semester 1 (September 2020 - January 2021) will take place at the following times:

• Monday 9 am to 9pm
• Tuesday 9 am to 9 pm
• Wednesday 9 am to 9 pm
• Thursday 9 am to 9 pm
• Friday 9 am to 6 pm
• Saturday 9 am to 6 pm

Increasing the number of hours allows us to spread out teaching across the week so we can offer more in-person teaching and greater access to our specialist facilities whilst adhering to social distancing guidelines.

We will review these hours for Semester 2 (January 2021 – June 2021), when we know what the social-distancing rules are at that time.

Reapplying for your Student Finance

If you are a UK or EU student continuing your studies in 2020/21 you should remember to reapply for your student finance.

The easiest way to reapply is online and the sooner you do this the better as it can take up to six weeks to process your application. You should be prepared to have some money available to you for your first few weeks of the semester as there is no guarantee your student loan will be in your account by the start of your studies.

More information on how to reapply can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/continuing-fulltime-students

You should also update your application if your circumstances have changed i.e. if you changed your course or where you're going to live - for example with your parents instead of halls. For top tips and more information on student finance and budgeting, visit our Budgeting and Funding web page here: https://www.wlv.ac.uk/current-students/new-students/new-starters/finances/

Library update

Over the last couple of weeks Harrison Library on the City campus has been offering a small number of bookable study spaces for students to access. It has been great to see students back in the Library and making use of these facilities safely whilst observing the social distancing instructions that are in place.

This service has now been extended to our Walsall Library, with study spaces including a PC available to book Monday to Friday, 10 am -12 pm or 1 pm to 3 pm. Study spaces and PCs will also be available to book at the Hutchison Library (Telford campus) from Monday 24 August.

Click and collect and book return is now available at all libraries; Harrison, Walsall and Hutchison Library on the Telford campus. For more information on how to book a study space and the latest information for the libraries, please visit: https://www.wlv.ac.uk/lib/coronavirus-faqs/

Please remember that the vast majority of our library services can still be accessed online:

• Go to our library website ac.uk/liband click on Subject Resources to find books and journal articles to help with your studies. We have thousands of online resources accessible through Library Search.   
• You can also search for journal articles, reports and other materials specific to your subject on the database page. (Log on to this with your student number and IT password.)
• Your Reading Lists can still be accessed via your Canvas topics. 

If you have any problems accessing e-resources or you want some support in finding and using them, we recommend you contact the Library team by the ASSIST online chat.

Where to find more information

You can find more information about our plans for the safe and managed return to our campuses in our Road to Reopening @WLV, this includes our latest updates, how we will manage your learning and teaching in the new academic year, and what you can expect on-campus. We are committed to keeping students up to date and we do this by email, on our social media channels (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook) and the University Student News web page.

I want to assure all students that staff across the University are working hard in preparation for the new semester. We strive to provide the best student experience possible and we always welcome your feedback.

The ‘Services for students at the University of Wolverhampton’ survey is now open and you can access the survey here: https://enp.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/services-for-students-at-the-university-of-wolverhampton

Thank you

Julia Clarke

Deputy Vice-Chancellor