Update 5 August 2020:
Making Education Safe
With the start of academic year 2020/21 just five weeks away, we know many of our students will be finalising plans and getting ready to join us in Glasgow and Altyre. Students who are unable to join us at the start of the academic year should still enrol, commence studies remotely, and join us when they can during Semester 1.
The GSA’s approach to learning and teaching over the next academic year has been designed to accommodate this and make sure you all students are very much part of the GSA community wherever and however they are initially joining us. However, we hope that as many students as possible are able to commence their studies in Semester 1 in Glasgow or Altyre – both are inspiring places to live and learn. Our students at the GSA are part of a flourishing creative community – within the GSA, and within the city.
We are looking forward to seeing our students again from the 14th September, and hope they are too.
The principles the GSA has established to enable education
in the light of COVID-19
In addition to your programme specification the GSA has produced a COVID-19 Response Student Guide which outlines the overarching principles the GSA has established to ensure that in the current COVID-19 context. Student learning remains the GSA’s priority and has been adapted in the light of changes to the public health demands resulting from the pandemic. What this means in terms of particulars programme of study will be communicated by Programme Leaders. You can read the guide here.
All programme information is on CANVAS and which students can access once they have enrolled for the Academic Year 2020-2021. Prior to enrolment the information can be accessed on the pre-enrolment portal. Continuing students can also access information and resources on the Student Intranet.
Safe Campus and Spaces for People
The GSA’s Estates Team is working with Programme Leaders to move forward with new studio configurations aligned to meet social distancing guidelines. This work is running concurrently with work to prepare the campus buildings for reopening with testing of systems, deep cleaning and new signage. More information on Safe Campus can be found on the GSA website, and in the Student Update from 22 July 2020.
Glasgow is continuing with its Spaces for People plans with new cycle routes and widened pavements appearing across the city, not only in response to COVID-19 but to support a step change in active travel. Information on the city’s plans are on the Glasgow City Council website.
The city’s museums and galleries are starting to reopen in line with Scottish Government advice. Up-to-date information on the reopening of civic museums and galleries can be found on Glasgow Life’s website, and follow them on Twitter for the latest information. The city has a large number of independent galleries and venues which are also starting to reopen. The GSA’s Live Map has links to many of these spaces for the latest information on their reopening plans.
Enrolment
All continuing and new students will be contacted by email inviting them to enrol online. Continuing students that are successfully progressing into the next academic session this September should have already received notification to enrol online. All students will be fully enrolled when they have completed online registration and Finance have received confirmation of sponsorship or the first payment of tuition fees. More information on payment of your tuition fees can be found here.
Induction 2020
Whether a new student or a continuing student at the GSA, induction at the start of the academic year is an important first step.
The GSA is developing a range of general induction materials for all students which will be available via CANVAS during August and students will be advised when they can access these. These inductions, which it is essential that students complete, cover a range of topics, including specific inductions on Safe Campus and how we all need to work as a community to ensure the GSA is a safe and welcoming environment in which to learn.
These inductions are in addition to School, Programme and Workshop inductions which will take place at the start of the academic year.
Getting to Glasgow and Quarantine
The COVID-19 situation remains dynamic and people are experiencing first hand changes to the various restrictions that are being brought in by Governments across the world. For some students returning to Glasgow from outside the United Kingdom and Ireland some travel restrictions remain in force and may change over the next five weeks.
The GSA is keeping up-to-date with changes including any requirement for students to quarantine on arrival in Glasgow, and considering what plans and information guides need to be put in place to support students who may be impacted by this.
It is important that students have arranged accommodation before arriving in Glasgow, whether or not the UK requires quarantine on arrival. We know the rules regarding quarantine can change quickly and therefore this is incredibly important.
Information on accommodation including GSA Halls of Residence and private sector accommodation can be found on the GSA website.
Finally
Please remember to keep connected to the GSA over the next few weeks:
- Enrol, access CANVAS and the GSA Student Intranet
- Read the Friday e-bulletin
- Follow the School on its various social media channels
- See what the GSA’s wider creative community are doing on the GSA Hub
- Take the opportunity to connect with Programme Leaders through the drop-in zoom sessions that are available – check emails and CANVAS for details
- Look out for updates from GSASA and their plans for Freshers Week
- A date for the diary: 19 August the Postgraduate Showcase of the work of this year’s postgraduate students will launch. Also, visit The Graduate Showcase to see work by the 2020 cohort of graduating undergraduate students and reviews from the GSA’s Creative Network