Studying with us next year

For those of you on practical courses, your workshops, salons, kitchens and studios have been made ready and we are all excited to see them become busy and productive spaces again.

For others, you might know that for the last 10 years, our college has been expertly developing courses that can be studied by students in remote rural areas, because they use a combination of online classrooms and the virtual learning environment. Therefore, you maybe be able to study one of these courses from anywhere with an internet connection. You are connected with your lecturers and fellow classmates at the same time to form a real learning community across many geographical locations.

Students whose courses are delivered this way will be able to continue to study remotely or they may choose to study at a college centre. We will confirm how to organise this with your induction materials.

However, in order to keep our students, our staff and our communities safe, we will continue to have in place  some of the measures that are still necessary to combat the Covid 19 pandemic.

Please read our Student Guide for the safe return to campus and continue to check our website regularly for further updates.

Vaccination

We are supporting the Scottish Government Student “Roll up your sleeve” vaccine message. Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine (nhsinform.scot)

Here, you will be able to find information on how to book appointments and details of where you can access drop in vaccinations . Please take advantage of these when offered, it’s our best way out of the coronavirus pandemic and it’s the best way to protect your opportunity to get your qualification.

Vaccinations are also available for you if you are one of our international students and we would urge you to take advantage of this if you have not been vaccinated before arrival in Scotland - COVID-19 vaccinations for international students (studentinformation.gov.scot)

Testing

Students travelling to us and changing term time addresses should book a PCR test prior to travelling. You can book this through

NHS Inform 

Where it is not possible to book a PCR test (eg for students living in England) please use a Lateral Flow Device kit. 

You will need to have a negative test result before travelling. 

During the time that you are studying with us, further testing is voluntary. However, we are strongly encouraging all students and college staff to participate by taking a twice weekly test wherever possible in order to contribute to the wellbeing of our college community and to protect your ability to gain your qualification whilst enjoying student life. 

Once you arrive on campus, you can collect the test kit and instructions for use from your local college centre.  Tests are also available by post using this link, https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or by collection from a number of participating pharmacies – use this link to find out more.

Remember, testing is the socially responsible thing to do before travelling, attending a social event or before returning home to see friends and family.

What to do if you develop symptoms

If you believe you have COVID-19 symptoms, you should not come onto campus, but self-isolate and book the normal PCR test via your local testing centre. See the NHS Inform website for more details.

Living, working and studying in a pandemic

As a College community of staff and students we recognise the need to work together to do all we can to protect our health, each other, and our students’ ability to study. Because we realise that guidance is changing as we move to Beyond Level 0, we must work together with respect for one other.

Please remember, not everyone can have the vaccination through no fault of their own, and many of our community will not be in the age range to currently be offered the vaccine.

We will continue to promote the safe practices we have become used to:

• Good hand hygiene – washing or sanitising hands frequently
• Cleaning of surfaces and equipment before and after use
• Opening windows to allow for good ventilation
• Encourage staff and students to continue maintaining appropriate physical distancing
• Face coverings will be mandatory in all areas of the college - unless you are exempt  - in line with Scottish Government guidelines for educational establishments. 

Thank you for your continued support for these safeguards to protect your fellow students and staff.

Useful Links

We would encourage all our staff and students to use these apps.

Students can find more information at: studentinformation.gov.scot

NHS Inform Vaccination information at: nhsinform.scot