West Highland College on course for new term
West Highland College UHI, which has a campus in Fort William, has confirmed that all of their courses will be going ahead on their planned start dates with students beginning their studies as scheduled this coming autumn.
Further Education Students’ term will start on August 31 and Higher Education Students will begin their studies on September 7.
What makes this move possible during the current coronavirus lockdown is that West Highland College UHI has 10 years’ experience of delivering courses using a combination of online teaching technologies and video conferencing that connects students and allows them to study from all over the Highlands.
Students say it has been a successful way for them to study and gain their qualifications.
Adam Robertson, head of curriculum at the college, said: ‘We were already planning to increase this type of delivery.
‘However as a result of the current COVID-19 health crisis our staff have utilised all their expertise and experience to quickly finalise the planned changes and allow all of our courses to go ahead for 2020.
‘This will give potential students the confidence that they can apply for the course they want this autumn and go on to succeed on their chosen career path.
‘For our more practical courses, we are working with industry bodies and employers to rapidly assess what will be required in terms of social distancing measures, industry standards and safety measures.
‘We have therefore been able to put in place innovative and flexible ways of teaching to allow subjects such as Professional Cookery,
West Highland College UHI is gearing up for the new term, lifted.
Construction, Rural Skills and Maritime and Aquaculture Skills and Adventure to start as expected in September 2020.’
The college has been at the forefront of designing courses that can be studied by students anywhere in the Highlands.
Business, Social Care, Creative and Digital Design and Psychology are just some of the subjects already delivered by West Highland College UHI online.
Learning takes place in real-time, in an online classroom, collaborating with classmates and their lecturer using a combination of video conferencing, interactive chat and shared visuals.
Natassja Oulton, from
Ullapool, studied for an NC Early Education and Childcare and then HNC Childhood Practice, she said of the online teaching: ‘It is a very easy system to use and you get lots more time for thinking about your studies. Studying from my hometown of Ullapool has been a breeze as it means I’ve been able to fit in study with my shifts at work.’
Fiona Grant, director of academic affairs, added: ‘Our approach to learning and teaching focuses on the student, their experience, the quality of their learning.
‘Our flexible courses help students to combine study with family and work. Now we can also help students and their families stay safe, by giving an even greater choice of subjects that can be studied from anywhere with an internet connection. All of our students are supported by experienced staff.’