Locked down Universities

[Vikingess]

I have a niece who is due to return to University (second year) in Manchester where the lock down restrictions state she can’t visit or be visited by anyone outside her own household. She has already paid upfront rent on a flat she’s sharing with one other girl but most of her course will now be taught on line. Would she be better off finding out if she would be able to defer the year and rejoin next year. Anyone have any experience of this.

There are zero guarantees that next year will be any different, and she might just be a year behind. I think year 2 online is the least worst.
In the first year you want to get to know your tutor and your mates, find you way around. In the last year, remote studies can really impact final year projects, and getting good reference letter for the future. Second year is just about carrying on, so perhaps not that bad? Of course, this is assuming she is not studying a hands on degree, such as theatre or jewelry....

Next year the pressure for spaces on Uni courses will be intense, too. I'd defer for like 5 yrs if she's going to defer at all.

@Lua
Depends on the course as to which year being on line would be worst. For social science courses for instance final year on line would make little difference at many unis considering contact time is already about 3 hours a week.