STUDENTS who attend university in Oxford are allowed to return to the city in a matter of weeks.

Oxford University announced on January 1 that students should not return to the city until January 25 at the earliest.

The university told the Oxford Mail, however, that this date is subject to change depending on the Government guidance. 

Read here: What would a Tier 5 lockdown look like?

Currently, under Tier 4 restrictions, universities and workplaces are allowed to remain open.

From today very specific groups of taught students are permitted to return to Oxford.

This includes those taking part in very specific courses (such as medicine and initial teacher training) and some other categories of students who need practically to be here.

Oxford Brookes University will stagger the return of its students across a five-week period from 4 January.

The approach means students will return to campuses and halls of residence in three phases, starting with those on placements.

Read here: Oxfordshire reacts to Tier 5 rumours: 'people never stick to the rules'

Later in January, students on programmes that require some face-to-face teaching to meet learning outcomes, such as essential lab or studio time, will return.

From 1 February Oxford Brookes students will continue their studies with a blend of online and face-to-face teaching, resuming the approach taken in the first part of the academic year.

All students without symptoms are being offered two tests in return to reduce the risk of asymptomatic transmission.

The current advice from both universities is subject to change depending on the Government's latest guidance.