Guidance April 2007 - Glasgow Caledonian University

GUIDANCE2007
INSIDE FEATURES:
» An Inconvenient Truth:
supporting sustainable development in Scotland
» EDGE Project
» Passion for Fashion
» Learning in the 21st Century: The Saltire Centre
» Aiming University Learning @ Work
UPDATE INFORMATION FOR CAREERS & GUIDANCE STAFF

Glasgow Caledonian University
Undergraduate Open Day 2007
Wednesday 12th September
10am-2.30pm & 5pm-7pm
T: 0141 331 8681 E: helpline@gcal.ac.uk
Register for Open Day online at:
caledonian.ac.uk/openday
12 GUIDANCE www.caledonian.ac.uk

CONTENTS
FEATURES
92%
OF OUR GRADUATES ENTER
EMPLOYMENT OR FURTHER STUDY
WITHIN SIX MONTHS
02 Summer Media Classes for School Pupils
A TASTE OF LIFE AS JOURNALISTS AND PRESENTERS
03 DipHE Audio Systems Engineering
A NEW PROGRAMME IN AUDIO TECHNOLOGY AND
TECHNIQUE
04 An Inconvenient Truth
SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SCOTLAND
06 Caledonian Court
GLASGOW CALEDONIAN’S MODERN ACCOMMODATION
07 The EDGE Programme
LEARN ABOUT BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
08 Passion for Fashion
FASHION BRAND RETAILING FOR STUDENTS
10 Careers in Financial Services
EXPANDING FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR IN SCOTLAND
11 Operating Department Practioner
PATIENT CARE WITHIN OPERATING THEATRES
12 Learning in the 21st Century
THE SALTIRE CENTRE
14 Aiming University Learning @ Work
A CLEAR FOCUS ON EMPLOYABILITY FOR SCOTLAND’S
GRADUATES
15 Caledonian Alumni
SUPPORTING THE INTERESTS OF GRADUATES
16 Careers Officers and Guidance Teachers
EVENTS AT GLASGOW CALEDONIAN FOR MAY 2007
Welcome
Hello and a warm
welcome to 2007’s first
edition of Guidance,
the magazine designed to keep
you informed on the on going
developments at Glasgow
Caledonian University. I would
firstly like to introduce myself.
My name is Lynne Barrie and
I am the new Schools &
Colleges Liaison Officer at
Glasgow Caledonian. I started
the post in October and I have
thoroughly enjoyed meeting
many of you at the careers
conventions and school
presentations that have taken
place in the past few months.
I am joining the experienced
team at Caledonian of Lisa
Meikle and Paul Gray, who
many of you will know well.
In a recent exciting
development, our BA(Hons)
Journalism programme was
awarded accreditation from the
National Council for the
Training of Journalists (NCTJ).
Our students will now be
entered for the NCTJ’s
professional ‘prelim’ exams in
Newspaper Journalism,
Shorthand, Law, and Public
Affairs. This degree is unique
in being the only NCTJaccredited
undergraduate
journalism degree in Scotland
which includes broadcast
journalism in the curriculum.
In this edition we outline
some of the new programmes
and developments which have
been introduced over the past
year. We look at the exciting
opportunities for S5 and S6
pupils to take part in a Radio
and TV presenting course here
at Caledonian, and some
information about our
successful Fashion Brand
Retailing programme which
already has one group of S6
students participating.
We give some details about
our new DipHE Audio Systems
Engineering programme. We
also look at Environmental
Sustainability issues which are
a major focus in the news at
the moment and the expansion
of graduate jobs in Financial
Services within Scotland.
As ever, we welcome your
feedback in relation to the
magazine. If there are any
features you would like to see
included in future editions or if
you have any comments and
suggestions then I’d be happy
to hear from you.
Lynne Barrie
Schools & Colleges
Liaison Officer
T: 0141 331 8682
E: L.Barrie@gcal.ac.uk
www.caledonianchoices.com GUIDANCE 01

SUMMER MEDIA CLASSES
Summer Media Classes
For School Pupils
Teenagers will be given a taste of life as journalists and
presenters during a new television and radio course at
Glasgow Caledonian University.
Pupils will learn the basics of news writing, editing and
presentation before producing a five-minute television bulletin to
display their skills.
Aimed at fifth and sixth year students, the course should also
prove valuable for those considering a career in journalism or
other aspects of the media.
Ken Garner, head of the university's journalism degree, said:
‘This course will give students a chance to find out what life is
like in a newsroom environment. Anyone who's thinking of doing
journalism or a media-related degree would no doubt learn a lot
from taking part.’
The three-day course will be run by Glasgow Caledonian's
media and journalism section. Based in the state-of-the-art
newsroom, pupils will be guided through the process of
collecting news from initial sources to assembling and presenting
the finished product. Experienced professionals will provide
information on news gathering, writing up stories, recording and
presenting techniques. Pupils will also build skills in
communication, teamworking and working to deadlines.
‘This is going to be an excellent opportunity for high school
students,’ added course organiser Dr Catriona Miller. ‘They'll
have the chance to be involved in a project with tangible benefits.
Everyone will contribute to the final bulletin and this kind of
practical experience can be very helpful when applying to
university.’
The course is planned to take place in June and no
prerequisites or previous experience is needed. At the present
moment the course will not carry any credited award however the
pupils will be awarded a certificate of participation, plus the DVD
of the bulletin they create.
PROGRAMME
INFORMATION:
CATRIONA MILLER
E: c.miller@gcal.ac.uk
02 GUIDANCE www.caledonian.ac.uk

DIPHE AUDIO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
DipHE Audio Systems Engineering
A new degree for 2007
Audio systems are an everyday part of our lives, be it
through listening to music on a portable player, catching
up on the latest news on digital radio or experiencing a
live show. The new DipHE in Audio Systems Engineering focuses
on the technology that allows music and sound to be created,
recorded and consumed by musicians and the public alike. The
equipment that is used in all those areas has been developed
using some of the most up to date technology and techniques
available in the engineering world.
Although this programme is focused on systems, it is rooted in
Engineering. For the first time it allows the school leaver access
to our audio programmes.
The programme has been designed to give students a firm
grounding in audio technology and techniques. Drawing on the
established engineering and expertise within the university, the
programme covers the full recording process, from mixing and
mastering, to distribution and transmission, increasingly this
takes place using the Internet.
As the focus of the programme is on audio, students will be
given an opportunity to acquire appropriate production skills in
the university’s specialist studio facilities. Using a range of
industry standard equipment and software they will build up
experience in recording in a variety of situations. In addition the
programme covers the acoustics of both sound production and of
musical instruments.
The programme covers in detail the engineering principles
behind a number of audio technologies, both electronic and
electro-mechanical, in a range of engineering modules shared
with the mainstream engineering programmes. Finally as industry
is increasingly demanding graduates with a breadth of
knowledge the programme incorporates two modules in
multimedia, to allow students to place the use of audio and
music in a broader context.
The added bonus of completing this programme is that it is not
only an excellent qualification on its own right, it can guarantee
progression to our BSc(Hons) Audio Technology with Electronics
programme.
Career opportunities exist in many areas of audio including
broadcasting, research and development, acoustics and sound
engineering.
DIPHE AUDIO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
PROGRAMME INFORMATION:
ANGELA GEDDES
T: 0141 331 8602
E: a.b.geddes@gcal.ac.uk
www.caledonian.ac.uk/esd
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
HIGHER: BBC
ESSENTIAL SUBJECTS:
MATHS OR PHYSICS (H)
www.caledonian.ac.uk GUIDANCE 03

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
An Inconvenient Truth
Scotland’s sustainable development strategy
Sustainability is an ever increasing buzz word in national
and international news coverage, with specific topics
ranging from global warming, energy efficiency and carbon
footprinting to transport, environmental quality, health and state
of our built and natural environment. In this article we look at
what these crucial issues are and how school leavers can build a
very rewarding career in this crucial area of work.
Scotland has taken to heart the powerful messages that alert
us to the need to protect our environment and become more
sustainable. Indeed, the Scottish Executive, set out its strategy
for working towards sustainable development and identified four
key areas for action:
• Sustainable consumption and production
Looking at how goods and services are produced, the
impact of products and materials across their whole
lifecycle and building on people’s awareness of social and
environmental impacts.
• Climate change and energy
Highlighting the need to secure profound changes in the
way the country generates and uses energy and other
activities that release greenhouse gases.
• Natural resource protection and environmental
enhancement
Building a better understanding of environmental limits,
environmental enhancement and recovery where the
environment is most degraded to ensure a decent
environment for everyone.
• Sustainable communities
Creating communities that embody the principles of
sustainable development locally.
These strategic action areas lead to a requirement, for public and
private organisations alike, to assess their day to day operations
for sustainability and to make changes where necessary. The
operations that are currently receiving attention in Scotland
include:
• Energy efficiency
• Transport
• Urban regeneration and development
• Waste management and recycling
However, there is also a great deal of interest in the way in which
communities can become more sustainable and a whole raft of
other topics are being added to the sustainability debate on an
almost monthly basis.
In order to address these strategic and operational
requirements, Scotland requires professionals in local authorities,
community organisations and private companies who understand
that sustainability means thinking in terms of whole systems,
with all their interconnections, consequences and feedback loops.
This knowledge helps decision makers to capture the
complexity of the problems and ensure that scarce, irreplaceable
resources are not frittered away, either deliberately or through
ignorance. The professionals must, for example:
• Encourage more sustainable construction
• Compare alternative strategies and predict outcomes
• Aid decision-making and justify decisions made
• Engage with Government and communities and inform
policy makers
• Set targets for the future and measure the effects of
interventions and progress towards targets
04 GUIDANCE www.caledonian.ac.uk

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
RELEVANT WEB INFORMATION
Scottish Executive:
www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/SustainableDevelopment
RICS:
www.rics.org/Environmentalandlandconsultancy
CIWEM:
www.ciwem.org
Caledonian Environment Centre:
www.caledonian.ac.uk/environment
The Sustainability Centre in Glasgow:
www.sustainabilitycentre.org
The problems are multi-dimensional and at their heart lie the
difficulty of assessing costs and value when comparing ‘apples
and pears’. How do we compare the aesthetic damage caused by
poor architecture or insensitive transport routes with the lower
costs that are often associated with them? How do we compare
the social benefits of a more expensive housing scheme that
provides an environment which leads to increased employment
opportunities with a cheaper one that does not?
It becomes clear, going through these requirements that
professionals require a wide ranging understanding of technical,
social and economic topics. They require to be trained in the use
of a multitude of tools in order to develop and assess holistically
sustainable development issues, environmental management
systems or urban and regional plans.
The increasing demand for sustainable planning professionals
opens up career prospects for those who wish to combine a
vocation with a career. So, young adults who care for the
environment now have the opportunity to turn this passion into a
satisfying profession.
Our BSc(Hons) Environmental Management & Planning
programme provides the type of training and education that is
required for school leavers to enter such a career path. The
programme covers a wide range of topics from environmental
impact assessment to urban regeneration and natural resource
management. It is delivered by a team of experts that have
extensive operational, research and consultancy experience in
their field, both in the UK and abroad. The team is supported by
full time researchers from the university’s Caledonian
Environment Centre and its Sustainability Centre in Glasgow.
The programme team recognise the importance that employers
place on practical experience and offer their students the
opportunity to gain up to nine months of such experience during
a work placement in their third year at university. Recently, our
students have gained work experience in large construction
companies and consultancies, local authorities, community
recycling initiatives and the Scottish Environment Protection
Agency. Others have taken the opportunity to broaden their
horizon by going on work placements in Norway and Japan.
We encourage our students to join the professional
organisations that accredit our course, the Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institution of Water
and Environmental Management (CIWEM), and following
graduation they can gain chartered membership of both
organisations.
BSC(HONS) ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT &
PLANNING PROGRAMME INFORMATION:
OLE PAHL
T: 0141 331 3572
E: o.pahl@gcal.ac.uk
www.caledonian.ac.uk/bne
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
HIGHER: BBBB
ESSENTIAL SUBJECTS:
ENGLISH AND MATHS (S) GRADE
www.caledonian.ac.uk GUIDANCE 05

CALEDONIAN COURT
Caledonian Court
Glasgow Caledonian’s modern accommodation
Aserious question for young people going to university, and
for parents and guardians, is about the availability of
secure, quality accommodation.
Conveniently based on the campus, Caledonian Court offers
students the freedom of independent living with the discreet
support of a team of trained , security and welfare staff. The team
does their best to ensure that students living away from home
have an enjoyable and memorable experience. Additionally, our
flats are licensed Houses of Multiple Occupancy, regulated by the
Environmental Health Office, giving extra peace of mind to
residents, parents and guardians.
Clustered around garden areas, the flats provide a close sense
of community whilst giving the students the feeling of privacy and
space. There is a controlled door entry system, and a payphone
for each building, once again enhancing the sense of safety and
security for the residents.
Each of these flats accommodate six to eight students in
mostly single rooms with either ensuite or shared facilities.
Additionally, there are a few rooms which are adapted for
residents with special needs. This unique mix ensures that there
is accommodation to suit all requirements and budgets. There is
a well equipped, spacious kitchen in each flat, providing the basic
essentials for self catering while students are living away from
home. Students also have access to a central ‘pay as you go’
laundry and can arrange to use the social area above the
Accommodation Office in the heart of the residences.
The rent is approximately £75 - £85 per week for the academic
session, including gas and electricity, crockery, utensils and
bedding. Residents’ own computers can be set up to allow 24
hour access to the internet for coursework and email.
» University Open Days are held every year in September, inviting
prospective students to come and have a look at the excellent
facilities on our modern city centre campus.
FOR INFORMATION ON CALEDONIAN COURT:
T: 0141 331 3980
E: accommodation@gcal.ac.uk
www.caledonian.ac.uk
The accommodation application process is simple and details can
be found on the university website.
Once the student has accepted their unconditional offer of a
course at Glasgow Caledonian University an application for
accommodation can be made. Subject to meeting the allocations
criteria and on acceptance of the terms and conditions of lease,
an advance payment of £650 is required to confirm a place in the
residences. The balance of the rent can be paid in instalments
once students have settled in and started their studies.
Students looking to live on campus in the city centre can be
assured that Caledonian Court fits the bill.
06 GUIDANCE www.caledonian.ac.uk

THE EDGE PROGRAMME
1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
1. STUDENTS RELAXING
AFTER THE IMMERSION
PROGRAMME WITH A
BOAT CRUISE ON LOCH
LOMOND
2. STUDENTS AT
RECEPTION WITH THE
LORD PROVOST,
GLASGOW CITY
CHAMBERS
3. STUDENTS FROM
POLAND, GLASGOW,
CANADA AND THE USA
AT THE LAUNCH EVENT
4. TEAM WITH THEIR
CLIENT CONTACT, MR
GLYNN JONES FROM
THE STUDENT LOANS
COMPANY
5. STUDENTS WORKING IN
THE SALTIRE CENTRE
The EDGE Programme
Students on the EDGE programme gain far more than a
degree from their time at Glasgow Caledonian. By
participating in the Encouraging Dynamic Global
Entrepreneurs (EDGE) programme at Glasgow Caledonian,
students have the chance to earn money, improve their
employability, make new friends from around the world and
establish contacts with Scottish companies and business leaders.
EDGE is an intense, eight week summer programme that gives
our students the chance to learn about business and
entrepreneurship. By working on real business projects for
companies here in Glasgow students can work on a project to
set-up their own new business.
The EDGE Programme is run in partnership with Scottish
Enterprise Glasgow, Careers Scotland, Glasgow City Council,
University of Glasgow, the Universities of Simon Fraser and
Waterloo in Canada and the University of Warsaw in Poland.
Over the course of eight weeks, Caledonian students work in
teams alongside students from partner universities in Canada
and Poland and pupils from Glasgow schools. They work as
consultants for a local organisation on real business projects. The
wide variety of projects and companies involved provide
opportunities for students on every degree to get involved. Some
of the companies from EDGE 2006 included Campbell
Construction Group, Soma Recordings Ltd, Community Central
Hall and McLaren Software.
This is the second year of the programme at Caledonian and
the success speaks for itself. Students reported improved
leadership and teamwork skills, as well as increased selfconfidence.
Five students received job offers immediately and
many developed a fantastic network of contacts which will help
them get into the job market after they graduate.
Kathryn Fernie, a Glasgow Caledonian University student said,
‘I applied for EDGE because I thought it would be a fun way to
earn some money over the summer, but once it started I realised
how much I would benefit. EDGE pushed me to use the skills I’d
learned in university the business world and once I started I
realised that I actually knew what I was talking about. EDGE gave
me the confidence to try new things and not take myself too
seriously.’
Not only the students benefited from the EDGE programme,
the participating companies were delighted with our students
work. Indeed, the early results for the Scottish Economy are
excellent as well. The student recommendations are expected to
increase the turnover of the companies by £12.2 million and
create 65 new jobs in Scotland.
Lynn Whiteside, Development Manager (Marketing) for
Caledonian Business School said, ‘There are very few
opportunities for students to make such an impact while still in
university. Our students were working directly with executive and
director level to produce outcomes that really benefit the
business. We are delighted to be one of the two Scottish
universities participating in this programme.’
FOR INFORMATION ON THE EDGE PROGRAMME:
LYNN WHITESIDE
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (MARKETING)
CALEDONIAN BUSINESS SCHOOL
T: 0141 331 8620
E: l.whiteside@gcal.ac.uk
www.caledonian.ac.uk/cbs
www.caledonian.ac.uk/student/enterprise
www.caledonian.ac.uk GUIDANCE 07

PASSION FOR FASHION
Passion for Fashion
S6 pupils study Fashion at Caledonian
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS
DAY-RELEASE PROGRAMME:
JANICE CRAIG
T: 0141 331 8892
E: j.craig@gcal.ac.uk
KATE MACLEOD
T: 0141 331 8894
E: k.macl@gcal.ac.uk
08 GUIDANCE www.caledonian.ac.uk

PASSION FOR FASHION
The content of the programme provides students with a
comprehensive understanding of the fashion retailing sector. The
following themes shape the curriculum:-
What is the role, function and meaning of fashion?
This theme considers fashion from the perspective of personal
and group identity. Drawing on the history of fashion in the
Twentieth Century, it considers the cultural meaning and
importance of fashion, particularly in terms of its meaning and
function within contemporary society. The emergence of fashion
and fashion marketing is explored – and the processes for
forecasting and predicting fashion diffusion, trends and cycles
are examined. Within a contemporary context, the
inter-relationships that exist between and among media, music,
and celebrity and youth fashion are discussed. The perspective
on fashion is not be confined to young people. The dynamics of
fashion consumer behaviour among older customers is also
explored.
Making Fashion – where does fashion comes from?
This theme explores the creative dimensions of fashion. It
considers the fashion development cycle, beginning with the
interpretation and prediction of trends in consumer behaviour
and the impact upon new product development decisions. The
fashion design process is examined and the role of technology in
that process is considered. The fashion supply chain is explored
and recognition given to such dimensions as ‘fast fashion’,
‘internationalisation’ and the ‘ethical considerations of global
sourcing’. Students are also introduced to the language of
fashion – specifically in terms of fabric type, garment features
and construction methods.
Glasgow Caledonian University has developed a successful
programme for S6 Secondary School Pupils titled ‘Fashion
Brand Retailing’. The overall aim of the programme is to
provide young people with a dynamic, engaging, contemporary
and challenging introduction to the nature and characteristics of
the British fashion retailing sector.
While the content of the course will be positioned within the
context of the fashion and retailing sectors, the programme
enables pupils to enhance and develop their personal social
skills, which as well as being transferable to a variety business
sectors, assist them in their preparation for employment within
the fashion and retailing sectors.
A number of themes have been identified as important and
these are explored through the use of a wide range of learning
strategies and techniques. In particular, the programme is
practical in nature and it encourages students to be innovative
and creative in their thinking and behaviour. Furthermore, the
programme seeks to develop and enhance the students’ core
personal skills in areas such as communication, numeracy,
team-working and problem-solving. Upon completion of the
programme, the students benefit from an enhanced knowledge of
the fashion retailing sector and have a competent understanding
of its demands and the employment opportunities that the sector
offers. It will also provide an excellent opportunity for them to
explore the nature of customer relations within a business
context.
How does fashion retailing work?
This theme considers the features of British fashion retailing
sector. Attention is given to the social, economic and cultural
dimensions which impact upon the nature of fashion retailing.
The characteristics of fashion retail businesses are considered –
in terms of their size, organisation and ownership status. The
business purposes of these companies are examined and the
means by which fashion retailers achieve profitability is
identified. Employment opportunities and job functions are
discussed, specifically in terms of preparing for work placement
experience within the sector. The theme explores the operational
dimensions of fashion retailing – particularly with respect to the
use of technology, as well as stock and space management,
visual merchandising and display and other retailing skills.
What makes a fashion retailer successful?
This theme considers the factors that contribute to success in
fashion retailing. Consideration is given to the marketing of
fashion – specifically in relation to understanding the function of
branding within the sector. Furthermore, consideration is given to
other marketing activities, including pricing, press and public
relations, advertising and promotion. The processes and skills
associated with selling fashion are discussed, alongside the legal
dimensions of retailing. The theme also considers the nature and
importance of customer service excellence.
The pilot programme was funded by a collaboration of Glasgow
Caledonian University, the Hunter Foundation, the Scottish
Executive Determine to Succeed team and Glasgow City Council.
Two groups are currently attending the university one day per
week for approximately 30 weeks. Student feedback has been
very positive. They think that the teaching complements other
subject areas in which they are currently sitting for Highers as
well as giving them a taster of what university life is all about.
www.caledonian.ac.uk GUIDANCE 09

CAREERS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES
Careers In Financial Services
When looking for careers which are offering increased
career opportunities across Scotland, it would be well
worth pupils with excellent numeric and analytical
skills looking at careers in the expanding Financial Services
sector in Scotland (IFSD).
Scotland has always had an international reputation when it
comes to financial services. According to figures from Scottish
Enterprise and the Scottish Executive, the financial services
sector in Scotland alone has grown over 50% in last decade and
Scotland is recognised as 6th in Europe and 15th globally as a
financial centre. In addition, of the top 20 companies in
Scotland, seven are in the financial services sector.
And that means there are great career opportunities. The
industry accounts 108,000 jobs directly and over another 90,000
indirectly; and according to Future Skills Scotland, the wages in
the sector are higher than average. Employers can include large
banks, building societies and insurance or investment
companies, as well as smaller wealth management or advisory
companies, consultants, stockbrokers or other specialist firms.
Careers in many of these organisations can range from risk
management to investment advising, from managing groups to
becoming a technical expert, from fund management to sales.
Glasgow’s International Financial Services District
A number of the world’s leading financial companies now have a
presence in Glasgow including Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Esure,
Direct Line, Barclays, ACE, First Data and National Australia
Group, which has the head office for Clydesdale Bank and the
headquarters for its European operations in Glasgow. Their
presence underlines Glasgow’s credentials as a leading centre in
the financial industry. Over 30,000 people work in Glasgow in
financial services, representing one in 13 of all employees within
the city.
Glasgow Caledonian creating Financial Services careers
Staff on GCU’s BA (Hons) Financial Services programme have
worked closely with Scottish Enterprise, and companies
operating in the IFSD, to ensure that the graduates from its
degree programme are able to meet the requirements of the
financial services industry in Scotland.
The overall purpose of the programme is to provide a
vocationally directed programme relevant to the financial
services industry, corporate finance and investment, banking and
international finance, and risk. Graduates obtain a significant
range of industry accreditations, which makes financial services
graduates extremely attractive to employers. As a result of our
extensive links with industry, there is also a range of
opportunities for summer placements.
BA(HONS) FINANCIAL SERVICES INFORMATION:
PATRICK RING
T: 0141 331 3151
E: p.ring@gcal.ac.uk
www.caledonian.ac.uk/cbs
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
HIGHER: BBCC / A LEVEL: BB
ESSENTIAL SUBJECTS:
ENGLISH (H)
UCAS CODE:
N300
To find out more about financial services careers try looking at:
www.fsc4u.com/ And be sure to look at: www.ifsd.co.uk/
for up to date news about developments in Glasgow’s
International Financial Services District.
10 GUIDANCE www.caledonian.ac.uk

DIPHE OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTITIONER
DipHE Operating Department Practitioner
Scotland’s First Operating Departmental Practitioner Programme
The first class of twenty two students studying the Diploma
in Operating Department Practitioner at Glasgow
Caledonian University graduated on 28th November.
Successful completion of this programme allows students to
register with the Health Professions Council as Registered
Operating Department Practitioners.
Operating Department Practitioners work in operating theatres
caring for patients whilst they undergo surgery and anaesthesia.
They work alongside registered nurses, anaesthetists and
surgeons to provide skilled and complex patient care and
support. This new two year programme allows students to divide
their time evenly between academic study at the university and
working within the clinical area. The programme is delivered both
at Glasgow Caledonian University and within NHS Lothian. This
collaborative approach allows students to access the programme
from both the east and west of Scotland and has required close
cooperation between Glasgow Caledonian University and NHS
Lothian.
The Diploma in Operating Department Practitioner is the only
course in Scotland to offer pre-registration education for
Operating Department Practitioners. Development and delivery of
the programme has been made possible by funding from NHS
Education for Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS
Lothian, NHS Forth Valley and NHS Fife.
Since this first class of students qualified and registered with
the Health Professions Council, they have all successfully gained
employment with the sponsoring health boards.
DIPHE OPERATING DEPARTMENT PRACTITIONER
PROGRAMME INFORMATION:
FIONA RITCHIE
T: 0141 331 3534
E: fiona.ritchie@gcal.ac.uk
www.caledonian.ac.uk/nmch
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
HIGHER: CC
RECOMMENDED SUBJECTS:
ENGLISH AND A SCIENCE SUBJECT
UCAS CODE:
B990
www.caledonian.ac.uk GUIDANCE 11

LEARNING IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Learning in the 21st Century
The Saltire Centre
Glasgow Caledonian University has invested millions of
pounds in learning facilities for students. The state of the
art Saltire Centre is not only host to the university library,
but is designed to support students with the services they will
need while they study. With 1,800 study spaces and over 500
computers, the Saltire Centre gives students plenty of room to
learn. A wireless network facility allows students to use their
wireless enabled laptop anywhere in the building. Students can
also have access to one of the university’s laptops.
The Saltire Centre provides various areas to take advantage of
noisy social interaction for group work or settle down to silent
study on the upper floors. The building is wheelchair friendly
throughout, with software and technology for students with
learning or physical disabilities available in a central location.
The Saltire Centre is a one stop shop when it comes to looking
for advice on various issues. ‘The Base’ student services area has
staff on hand to assist with any questions regarding the following
services:
Academic Registry Desk
Situated within The Base is the Academic Registry Desk where
students can get the assistance on the following:
• Admissions
• Student Grant and bursary cheques
• Application forms for SAAS support / travel
• Student records – name/address changes
• Matriculation cards
• Registration
12 GUIDANCE www.caledonian.ac.uk

LEARNING IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Effective Learning Service (ELS)
This service is a free, confidential and open to all Glasgow
Caledonian University students. The service is there to help
students cope with the practical aspects of their workload and
achieve their academic potential. Advice on a range of study
skills is given, including the following:
• Essay writing
• Report writing
• Referencing
• Oral presentations
• Critical reviewing
• Dissertations
• Revisions skills
Individual and group appointments are available as well as
drop-in sessions, workshops, on-line advice and study skills
leaflets.
CONTACT:
JAN HOWDEN
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR LEARNER SUPPORT
T: 0141 273 1204
E: j.howden@gcal.ac.uk
Disability Service
The disability service aims to ensure that students can access
their programme of study and participate in university life as
equally and actively as possible. They offer support in a number
of ways including, assisting with applications for Disabled
Students Allowance and for equipment or non-medical help
needed for study. They also organise appropriate exam
arrangements such as additional time for rest breaks.
Careers Service
The careers service will help students plan their career every
step of the way. Professional guidance and advice is given in the
following areas:
• Part-time jobs
• Work experience
• CVs, applications and interviews
• Further study options
• Taking a year out
• Sourcing career information
The careers service also organises employer and careers events
for students. Their website also gives students the chance to
look at employer directories and vacancy information.
Counselling Service
The counselling service is available for students who feel that
personal or emotional concerns are impacting on studies or
exam performance. The counsellors will work with the students
to help manage the issue and help the student see a way
through.
Finance and Funding
All tuition fees and student loans should be applied for using the
Scottish Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). However within the
university there is a student funding team on hand who can help
students who are struggling financially and will offer information
and advice. The student funding team also assist with childcare
funds and hardship loans.
www.caledonian.ac.uk GUIDANCE 13

AIMING UNIVERSITY LEARNING @ WORK
LEFT TO RIGHT: DR
BRIAN LANG, PRINCIPAL
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
ST ANDREWS,
PROFESSOR CAROLINE
MACDONALD PRO
VICE-CHANCELLOR,
LEARNING & TEACHING
GLASGOW CALEDONIAN
UNIVERSITY, JOHN
MCCLELLAND, CHAIR
OF FUNDING COUNCIL,
SIR MUIR RUSSELL,
PRINCIPAL, UNIVERSITY
OF GLASGOW AT THE
LAUNCH OF THE
AIMING UNIVERSITY
LEARNING @ WORK
PROJECT, 8TH
FEBRUARY UNIVERSITY
OF GLASGOW
Aiming University Learning @ Work
A Clear Focus on Employability of Scotland’s Graduates
In Scotland today, a growing emphasis is being placed upon
ways to increase graduate employability. Growing numbers
of students are accessing higher education in the belief that
a university course will improve their future career
opportunities. The world of work is changing and university
graduates are facing increasing competition and are no longer
‘guaranteed’ a job for life. Tackling these issues and
expectations is a particular challenge for those subject areas
which do not currently have a strong tradition of offering
students opportunities for work experience or work-related
learning. To help address this challenge, the University of
Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of
St Andrews have secured funding from the Scottish Funding
council for an innovative project; the Aiming University Learning
@Work Project.
The project has four main strands:
1 Exploration of current activities relating to work-related
learning and employability within Scottish universities.
2 Examination of the views and experience of recent graduates as
they make the transition from university to employment and
feeding these back into curriculum development.
3 Exploration and development of opportunities for work
experience.
4 Support and development activity aimed at embedding
work-related learning within the university curriculum.
The project will identify barriers to and opportunities for
enhancing student employability and work-related learning.
Lessons from recent graduates will build a picture of their
experiences, attributes, skills development and personal growth.
This information will prove invaluable as steps are taken to
consider changes to improve university programmes of study.
The project will also pilot models for sustainable work-related
learning across a range of disciplines, particularly
‘non-vocational’ disciplines, and explore the feasibility of building
collaborative partnerships with employers and others.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
NUALA TOMAN, PROJECT LEADER
AIMING UNIVERSITY LEARNING @ WORK
GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY
T: 0141 273 1345
E: employability@gcal.ac.uk
DAVID CARSE
DEMOCRATIC SERVICES
MANAGER OF
GLASGOW CALEDONIAN
UNIVERSITY STUDENT
ASSOCIATION,
SPEAKING AT THE
LAUNCH OF THE
AIMING UNIVERSITY
LEARNING @WORK
PROJECT
1
SFC (2006) Learning to Work: Enhancing employability and
enterprise in Scottish further and higher education. Edinburgh: SFC
The potential benefits of this project are huge. Not only is there
an opportunity to increase the proportion of employable
graduates, the project will undoubtedly provide a wealth of
information which is of relevance to careers and guidance staff.
It will provide us with relevant lessons, opportunities and
pointers which will prove useful in guiding future university
applicants through the maze of institutional and subject choices.
This is particularly important as the provision of good quality
career education, information and guidance have been
recognised as central to enhancing employability 1 .
The Project is being led by the University of Glasgow based in
the Careers Service and each partner institution has recruited a
team of dedicated staff charged with taking the project forward.
14 GUIDANCE www.caledonian.ac.uk

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Alumni Association
Seeking Teachers and Careers Officers
CONTACT:
DEBBIE MARTIN
T: 0141 331 8677
E: deborah.martin@gcal.ac.uk
www.caledonian.ac.uk/alumni
The Alumni Association is keen to find teachers and careers
officers who ae Glasgow Caledonian Graduates.
The Glasgow Caledonian University Alumni Association
exists to co-ordinate a range of activities to ensure alumni
(former students) are always in touch with the university and we
are kept up-to-date with what our graduates are doing. Our
graduate population is the greatest long-term asset of the
university and we are extremely proud of their achievements, just
as we hope you are proud of your Caledonian connection.
Although graduation marks the end of your studies, it should
not mean the end of the relationships you made with friends and
staff during your time at the university.
The Alumni Association supports the interests of both
graduates and the university and the association allows
graduates to maintain links not just with the university but with
one another. As an automatic member you will receive a full
range of services which are exclusively available to Glasgow
Caledonian graduates. This includes our free full-colour alumni
magazine, invitations to specialist events and reunions, the
university credit card and much more.
As an alumnus you can also get involved with the university in
a variety of ways, from joining our Alumni Ambassador
Programme which aims to develop links between Glasgow
Caledonian and industry, to providing a profile for our careers
services alumni network or even contribute an article to our
alumni magazine.
www.caledonian.ac.uk GUIDANCE 15

CAREERS OFFICERS AND GUIDANCE TEACHERS
Careers Officers and Guidance Teachers
Events at Glasgow Caledonian for May 2007
At Glasgow Caledonian University we keep careers advisers
and guidance staff up to date on programmes at the
university.
Every year we hold information events for careers and guidance
staff throughout Scotland. Please see below for this year’s dates
and times of the Information events being held.
Invitations will be sent to all careers, colleges and schools in
Scotland. You can also contact the schools and colleges liaison
team if you are interested in attending any of the days.
Thursday 10th May 2007 9.30am – 3.30pm
Caledonian Business School
School of Built and Natural Environment
Tuesday 15th May 2007 9.30am – 3.30pm
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Community Health
School of Health and Social Care
Thursday 17th May 2007 9.30am – 3.30pm
School of Computing
School of Engineering, Science and Design
Tuesday 22nd May 2007 9.30am – 3.30pm
School of Law and Social Sciences
School of Life Sciences
TO ATTEND ANY OF
THESE EVENTS
CONTACT:
LYNNE BARRIE
T: 0141 331 8682
E: l.barrie@gcal.ac.uk
16 GUIDANCE www.caledonianchoices.com

Applying to University
Accommodation
Open Days
Student Finance
Subject Choices
University Life
caledonianchoices.com
Caledonianchoices.com is a website from Glasgow Caledonian University which helps you prepare for life as
a university student. The site also contains helpful information for parents on a variety of issues relating to
university study, including student finance and moving away from home. Find out more about joining our
multi-cultural community by visiting our campus to see our facilities or logon to our website for more
information: caledonianchoices.com
www.caledonian.ac.uk GUIDANCE12

GUIDANCE2007
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