Which courses are part of the registration process for students?

All new undergraduate and postgraduate students are required to undertake two short training courses as part of the registration process. The courses are:

• #StrathEqual: equality, diversity and inclusion for students

This course, developed by the Equality & Diversity Office, will introduce you to equality, diversity and inclusion within the context of the University. The course will familiarise you with key equality policies and practices at Strathclyde, including our shared commitment to treat everyone with dignity, fairness and respect. You will learn about the diversity of the University community and the support available during your time at Strathclyde. Lastly, you will discover how to play your part in fostering an inclusive, welcoming and equitable environment for all, including how to be an ally and an active bystander.

The course takes around 45-60 minutes to complete.

• Tackling Gender-Based Violence

This course, developed by Rape Crisis Scotland, will give you an overall understanding of gender-based violence and the impact it can have within a university context. This module also covers consent and provides students with tools to challenge gender-based violence.

The course includes opportunities for reflection and breaks, as well as a quiz, and information on policies, procedures and support available at the University of Strathclyde.
The course takes around 40 minutes to complete.

All continuing students who completed the above two course in their first year will undertake a short 15-minute refresher course as part of the registration process:

• #StrathEqual – Refresher

This course, developed by the Equality & Diversity Office, is a brief refresher on equality, diversity, and inclusion and gender-based violence at the University of Strathclyde. You will revisit the key learning points introduced in the previous courses, and you will be reminded of the policies, provision and support available during your studies at Strathclyde.

If you have previously completed the courses #StrathEqual: equality, diversity and inclusion for students and Tackling Gender-Based Violence as part of your registration in a previous academic year, you will be asked to complete the new #StrathEqual - Refresher course when you register for the new academic session.

The course takes around 15 minutes to complete.

How do I access the training courses?

There will be links to the appropriate courses for you on your Pegasus portal, as part of the registration process. Once completed, the red crosses next to the links will turn to green ticks, allowing you to move to the next stage of the registration process. There might be a short delay between course completion and Pegasus updating. If you are a continuing student who has never completed the full courses or would like to do so again, you can find #StrathEqual, Tackling Gender-Based Violence and #Strath Equal - Refresher on MyPlace.

All courses are self-directed and available on the University’s online learning environment, MyPlace. You will work through the content and undertake any quizzes and reflections in your own time.

Why have these been included in registration?

The University is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students, staff and members of the wider University community. Unacceptable behaviour has no place at Strathclyde and we will not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, victimisation or bullying. These courses will educate everyone so that all students understand how they can expect to be treated during their studies, how to report issues if something is wrong, and the support available to students. Your Students’ Association, Strath Union, is fully supportive of this approach.

You will undertake the courses on the University’s virtual learning environment, MyPlace. For new students, this will give you the opportunity to get used to this platform in advance of starting your studies.

What if I have a problem completing the training courses?

If you’ve completed the training course during registration but your tick hasn’t appeared yet, please don’t worry. Course completions are updated every 15 minutes, so it may take up to 15 minutes for your tick to show. In the meantime, continue with the rest of your registration tasks and check again later. If your tick has still not updated after 30 minutes, please contact the IT Helpdesk: : help@strath.ac.uk.

If you have any questions about accessing the course or issues with your computer, or you need IT support, please contact the IT Helpdesk: help@strath.ac.uk.

If you do not have the necessary computer equipment to complete the training courses, you may be able to use the University’s facilities. Or you can contact the University’s digital inclusion inbox to see if you are eligible for digital support: remote-learning-assistance@strath.ac.uk.

I don’t want to take the courses; for what reasons can I request an exemption?

These courses are an important element of registration at Strathclyde. They ensure everyone can recognise unacceptable behaviours and feel empowered to intervene or report if they see or experience them.

It is possible to request an exemption to the Tackling Gender-Based Violence training course, if you have concerns that this will impact on your wellbeing. The course deals with issues of sex, sexual assault and rape. These themes can be triggering, and we recognise that. Please email aei-trainingandevents@strath.ac.uk if you wish to discuss an exemption confidentially. Please note exemptions are not granted for religious or cultural reasons.