Universities across Tayside and Fife prepare to begin classes again in September

Universities across Tayside and Fife will begin the new educational year in September using a combination of online and face-to-face teaching.

Perth College announced the autumn term is scheduled to begin on September 7 with courses to be run in line with Scottish Government public health guidance.

St Andrews University students are also expected to start in September with the institution preparing to install social distancing measures over the summer.

Students at the University of the Highlands and Islands will be taught via video-conferencing, remote learning and face-to-face teaching after the decision to resume was agreed by all 14 UHI principles, including Perth College, last week.

Professor Crichton Lang, the university’s principal and vice-chancellor, said: “We will… deliver courses in the autumn term using our blended approach to teaching.

“This includes using video conferencing, inventive remote learning technologies and some face-to-face teaching where it is safe and important to do so.

“We will be working hard to share our existing expertise, knowledge and practical learning to enhance the delivery of all courses across further and higher education, while still adhering and adapting to changing government guidelines.

“Our priority is to provide a safe learning environment for all of our staff and students.”

St Andrews students are expected to start to the new academic year on September 14 with orientation week beginning on September 7.

A spokesperson for the university said: “The health and safety of our students and staff is our overriding priority.

“Like other universities who have committed to begin the new academic year in September, we are focusing on dual mode delivery of teaching to cater for students who are able to be with us in St Andrews, and those who choose to be taught remotely.

“We are currently looking at how we apply social distancing requirements across our estate and expect to be working through that process over the summer.”

At Dundee University, the welcome week will begin on September 26 before semester one beginning on October 5.

A spokesperson said: “The teaching start date is three weeks later than originally planned and has been moved in an effort to mitigate the continuing impact of Covid-19.

“Our hope is to be able to deliver as much face-to-face teaching in Dundee as possible and we are committed to doing everything we can to make that possible for our students.

“However, this will be subject to public health and social distancing guidelines and so we are planning a flexible approach where we can deliver teaching and resources online as needed.”

Abertay University have pushed back their term by two weeks to September 21.

A spokesperson for the university said: “At present, our planning is focused on working towards a blend of online and face-to-face teaching, however the timings for any return to campus will of course be dictated by government regulations and guidance, and social distancing rules.

“Students and staff with concerns about returning to campus have been assured that we will take a flexible approach to physical attendance, when that becomes an option.”

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