Today SRUC made a major announcement regarding the Sports Coaching & Development Degree at the Ayr campus; we wanted to give you a summary of the main details to ensure students are aware of the upcoming changes.

From academic year 2016-17 the course will be delivered by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). We already share the campus with UWS so there will be no significant changes for students. SRUC, UWS and the two students’ associations will be working together to make the process a smooth transition with minimal disruption.

All 135 SRUC students currently studying sports coaching and development will join around 2300 UWS students already studying at the Ayr Campus. There are also no changes to the degree awarding body (Glasgow Uni) and existing learning will be fully accredited. The five members of staff for the course will also be transferring from SRUC to UWS and will be supported by their union during this process. Prospective SRUC students will be contacted regarding these changes and given the opportunity to be accepted onto the course as UWS students or to change their application.

SRUC have previously stated a ‘business as usual’ status at the Elmwood Campus with no plans to leave the site. Currently there have been no decisions taken on the future of sports at Elmwood. SRUCSA will work with the institution to represent the students and ensure their views are heard during the process.

Earlier this year it was also announced that 250 Vet Nursing and Animal Care students would be transferring to SRUC. This will be happening in 2 locations: from Northeast Scotland College to the SRUC Aberdeen Campus and from Edinburgh College to the SRUC Oatridge Campus.

SRUC is reviewing and changing its education portfolio under the National Strategy for Land-Based Education & Teaching. This strategy requires SRUC to focus its research, education & consultancy on supporting land-based industries which has meant changes to courses which are not specifically ‘land-based’. This has resulted in some courses transferring out to other institutions (sports) whilst other courses (vet/animal) transfer into SRUC.

Whilst we recognise this is a national strategy which SRUC have to fulfil, consultation & engagement from the institution has been poor up until this point and we will definetly be highlighting the case for better communication. You will be receiving an FAQ document via email soon, if you have any questions please contact a SRUCSA officer or sports staff member.

SRUC Students’ Association – Executive Team
Monday 7th March 2016