The college has published new information on studying at home. This includes guides on accessing and using Moodle, connecting to your college email, and on using the MyEC app.

A key list of college email addresses is also found towards the bottom of the page.

Updated advice on studying at home

Thursday 19th March

We've compiled a list of temporary jobs

If you or your classmates have lost regular work, here are some jobs being advertised locally

Wednesday 18th March

Due to the rapidly changing situation regarding coronavirus and to best protect the health and safety of all of our students, the College has taken the decision to suspend all face-to-face classes from 4pm on Monday 16 March until Monday 20 April.

Starting from Monday 23 March, additional provision will be in place to enable students to continue studying from home. This week, all students will be issued with guidance on how to continue their studies during this time and individual class information will be made available on Moodle.

We understand that students will be concerned about the impact that this may have on studies and progression. We'd like to emphasise that this situation is national and reassure students that we are speaking with external agencies to limit the longer term impact on everybody. 

This week, students will be issued with guidance via online channels on how to continue their studies during this time. Individual class information will be made available on Moodle.

It is important that students continue to keep up-to-date with information regarding the College and their studies via our online channels – email, Moodle, social media and website. 

Here are some answers to some common questions from students following the suspension of face-to-face teaching.

How do I continue to study at home?

Later this week we will be sending information to all students on how to access Moodle from home, this information will also be available on our website. Your lecturers will be in contact to provide information more specific to your course and will support you to continue learning during this time.

Will my bursary be affected during the suspension of face-to-face teaching?

During this time, all registers will be marked as 'engaged in learning', this means bursaries (including childcare funding) will be paid. Travel bursaries will not be paid during the period where students aren't required to travel to campuses.

What will happen with exams and assessments?

Please be assured that the College is in constant contact with exam awarding bodies regarding exams and assessments. The exam bodies are continuing to monitor the situation nationally and as soon as we have further information we will share it with you. Please speak to your lecturer if you are worried.

Can I still contact the Students' Association (ECSA)?

ECSA's campus offices are now closed and all face-to-face activities are suspended. However, the team will be working remotely and are still on hand to help you with any queries you might have. You can contact ECSA on the usual channels via email or social media as well as on their main telephone number 0131 297 9500, which is open 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday.

What should I do next?

Please continue to follow the advice and guidance provided by the Government and NHS to help keep yourself and others safe during this time. Please continue to check your student email, our website and our social media channels – Facebook and Twitter.

We understand that this might be a worrying time for students, if you have any concerns regarding COVID-19 in relation to Edinburgh College please don't hesitate to get in touch with the College, your lecturer or ECSA.

If you are looking for employment please check out our list of Temporary Jobs across Edinburgh. We will continue to update this list as and when we hear of further opportunities. 

Libraries will remain open across all campuses until further notice for students who don't have access to Moodle at home.

As the situation develops, we will notify students of any updates on a daily basis via our online channels including this webpage and via email. Please continue to check our channels for the latest information. 

It is important that you continue to follow the advice provided by the Government and public health agencies during this time to keep yourself and others protected. This includes: 

  • Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, should stay at home and not leave their house for 7 days from when the symptoms started – regardless of whether you have travelled to affected areas or been in contact with someone who has the virus.
  • NHS Scotland recommends using good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene. Coughing and sneezing should be into tissues that are promptly disposed down the toilet. Hands should be washed more regularly than usual with soap and water or using an alcohol hand rub even if hands are visibly clean. 

Tuesday 17th March

Our offices are now closed - but we're working from home

As face-to-face classes are now suspended, we will be working from home until Monday 20th April.

If you are in need of advice or support, please get in touch with us and we'll do our best to assist you.

Our phone number will be operating as normal - 0131 297 9500, and we'll be picking up emails and social media enquiries too.

ECSA's Offices are now closed until Monday 20th April - contact us on our usual methods

Monday 16th March

FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES SUSPENDED UNTIL MONDAY 20 APRIL 2020

Due to the rapidly changing situation regarding coronavirus and to best protect the health and safety of all of our students, the College has taken the decision to suspend all face-to-face classes from 4pm today (Monday 16 March) until Monday 20 April.

Starting from Monday 23 March, additional provision will be in place to enable students to continue studying from home. This week, all students will be issued with guidance on how to continue their studies during this time and individual class information will be made available on Moodle.

We understand that students will be concerned about the impact that this may have on studies and progression. We'd like to emphasise that this situation is national and reassure students that we are speaking with external agencies to limit the longer term impact on everybody.  

This week, students will be issued with guidance via online channels on how to continue their studies during this time. Individual class information will be made available on Moodle.

It is important that students continue to keep up-to-date with information regarding the College and their studies via our online channels – email, Moodle, social media and website.  

Libraries will remain open across all campuses until further notice for students who don't have access to Moodle at home

The College is committed to limiting the negative impact this has on students' studies. During this period, all bursaries will continue to be paid and we are confident we have a plan in place to ensure students can progress to the next stage of their studies.

As the situation develops, we will notify students of any updates on a daily basis via our online channels including this webpage and via email. Please continue to check our channels for the latest information. 

It is important that you continue to follow the advice provided by the Government and public health agencies during this time to keep yourself and others protected. This includes: 

  • Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, should stay at home and not leave their house for 7 days from when the symptoms started – regardless of whether you have travelled to affected areas or been in contact with someone who has the virus.
  • NHS Scotland recommends using good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene. Coughing and sneezing should be into tissues that are promptly disposed down the toilet. Hands should be washed more regularly than usual with soap and water or using an alcohol hand rub even if hands are visibly clean. 

Further information

We are aware that this is an anxious time for our students, particularly those already impacted by mental health difficulties.

Here are some resources that may be useful at this time:

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51873799

Please also contact our Wellbeing team at wellbeing@edinburghcollege.ac.uk if you need support.

 

Please note: This is an evolving situation and the above advice may be subject to change. If you have any concerns regarding COVID-19 in relation to Edinburgh College please don't hesitate to get in touch with the College or ECSA. 

Friday 13th March

The Coronavirus Covid-19 has been deemed a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation. As you will have seen in the news, this is a rapidly developing situation and our top priority is the health and safety of everyone in the Edinburgh College community.

We want to do everything we can to balance protecting your health with furthering your education. As the Students' Association, we will be working hard to make sure you get the right information related to you as soon as we get it.

All Edinburgh College face-to-face classes have been suspended until the 20th of April. Campuses remain open and you will be informed by e-mail if anything changes.   

Please see College Coronavirus webpage for all College Updates

We appreciate this may be an anxious time for some students and their families. ECSA is working very closely with the College Senior Management Team to ensure that we have a robust approach in place, to monitor and mitigate the impact of coronavirus on campus.

Please make yourself familar with the Student Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and get in touch if you have any other questions. ECSA staff will be monitoring all of our communication channels to ensure a quick response.

Please make sure you are logging into Moodle and checking your college e-mail regularly for the latest information from the College.

Student FAQs

 

How to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus

Do

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • always wash your hands when you get home or into college
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
  • try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Don't

  • do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

 

What is the latest advice on the Coronavirus?

The situation with the virus is constantly changing as the national strategy for dealing with it moves forward. For the latest advice, please see the NHS Inform Website.

Sources of advice:

 

What is the current situation?

The spread of the coronavirus across the world and in the UK & Scotland is changing very quickly. Both the UK Government and the Scottish Government will be making decisions and giving advice from a national and local perspective. The main aim for all decision-makers is to protect as many people as possible, especially the most vulnerable to the virus - older people or those with previous underlying health conditions. 

  • The latest figures on Coronavirus cases in Scotland is available on the Scottish Government Website. This is updated at 2pm every day.
  • The latest figures on Coronavirus cases in the whole of the UK is avilable on the the Public Health England website. This is updated at 2pm every day. Desktop Version  |  Mobile Version

 

Who can I contact for help or advice?

  • If you suspect you are displaying symptoms of the Coronavirus, you should call NHS on 111 or follow the self-help guide on the NHS Inform website. Do not go to your doctor or hospital.
  • If you don't have symptoms and are looking for general information, a free helpline has been set up on 0800 028 2816. The helpline is open everyday, 8.00am to 10.00pm.
  • If you would like to contact the college about your course, you can message your lecturer through Moodle.
  • If you have any other queries or concerns, please contact the College Communications Team
  • If you would like to contact one of the ECSA team, you can do so by e-mail or phone from our contact page or on any of our social media channels, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.