FAQs

SHIFT is designed for creatives who want to sustain their practice and take confident steps into the creative industries. Over this week‑long programme, you’ll join interactive workshops and conversations led by practitioners from Scotland and beyond — including leaders in performing and production arts, visual arts, screen, curation, design, and creative project management.

During your SHIFT experience, you will:

Gain practical advice, industry insights, and personalised guidance from experienced creative professionals, to develop your entrepreneurial skills and practice. 

Join the SHIFT community and expand your creative network, connecting with peers from a range of disciplines and building relationships that support and inspire your future career.

Identify your next steps and develop a clear action plan to move your creative career forward with confidence.

SHIFT offers a flexible, accessible way to enhance your entrepreneurial skills and professional network from anywhere in the world, all you need is a digital device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access our online programme. 

Delivered through short, dynamic teaching sessions with regular breakout discussions, you’ll experience an engaging and interactive learning environment. The programme includes a range of elective sessions led by practitioners connected to your specialism or stage of development. By selecting the sessions that matter most to you, you can tailor the programme to your needs and gain insights from creatives whose work aligns with your ambitions.

SHIFT runs from 9.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday during the week of the programme. The programme is designed to support you make new connections, learn from discussions and build you creative community with likeminded creatives. We encourage you to take part as fully as you can, but we understand you may have other commitments. If you need to step away from the online space at any point, just let us know.

We also invite you to engage in the way that feels most comfortable for you. If you prefer to turn off your camera and listen, or move around your space while taking part, that’s absolutely fine. We want SHIFT to work for you and to support your wellbeing throughout the week. If you have any access needs, or if there’s anything we can do to help you participate more comfortably, please get in touch. We’re happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and make the experience as inclusive and supportive as possible. Contact for further details; cedo@rcs.ac.uk.

As SHIFT is delivered fully online, you’ll need access to a laptop, PC, tablet, or smartphone with a reliable internet connection, along with a working microphone and speakers or a headset so you can hear and be heard. We also encourage you to join from a space where you feel comfortable participating. This might be a quiet, private room, but we understand that everyone’s circumstances are different, and we’ll support you to engage in whatever way works best for you.

If you do not have a suitable laptop, tablet or smartphone, but want to take part, please email cedo@rcs.ac.uk and we will try to help.

SHIFT is open to all GSA, RCS and QMU students and there are up to 30 places reserved for participants from any other student based in a Scottish University or recent graduate (from the last three years).  By applying to SHIFT you are agreeing that you will be able to commit to the week-long programme and will be able to attend the programme throughout the week. 

Applications for SHIFT 2026 are currently closed.

To apply to SHIFT simply complete our application form, telling us why you want to attend the next programme and what you hope to gain from the programme. Places are limited and we advise that you apply as early as possible. 

SHIFT’s application is available in a range of accessible formats. If you need the application in an alternative format, such as large print, audio, or a simplified version or if there’s anything else that would support you in completing it, please get in touch. We’re committed to making the application process as accessible and inclusive as possible.

As places are limited, we want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to experience SHIFT. Therefore, if you have already participated in SHIFT, you will not be eligible to apply for the programme a second time.

For general enquiries about SHIFT, contact cedo@rcs.ac.uk.