Dumfries and Galloway College is a further education institution and a leading voice in green skills development to help tackle climate change. With campuses in Dumfries and Stranraer, we are one of the main employers and providers of learning and training across the South of Scotland, with programmes ranging from senior-phase school partnerships to higher education. We strive to equip all members of our college community with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience they need to get ahead, whether that’s moving further into education or going onto employment.
Our student experience
We offer an excellent further-education experience, with a range of courses and qualifications available to suit our students’ needs, whether they’re embarking on their first career or looking to transition into a new one, delivered by teaching and support staff who care about what they do – evidence by satisfaction among our students as 89.4% of our further education and 88% of our higher education students indicated that they were satisfied with their college experience1.
We’re here to help people develop the skills they need to take them to where they want to go, and to help enterprises innovate and grow, and to help build a better future for the communities we serve. We’re particularly proud that:
- 85.9% of our student go into positive destination, including further study or employment 2
Our curriculum
Our curriculum areas offer a broad range of further and higher education pathways across 8 subject areas, from traditional subjects to new, with a real focus on care, enterprise, digital, and green energy skills development. With a first-class research and innovation centre at our Dumfries Campus, we’re able to promote a green approach in education, research, and business, to devise, develop, and distribute the skills that are needed to operate the technology that will ensure a greener, cleaner, and better future for all.
As a highly-attractive destination for those interested in learning about and developing skills in green energy, driven by our Green Skills Academy, we set students on the road to fulfilling, rewarding, and productive jobs in their future. Going forward, the academy will further develop the curriculum and other aspects of our offering in the areas of green energy, sustainable construction, and green transportation to help students further maximise their potential in these key areas.
Our awards
The College and our students are proud to have been the recipients of many varied awards that reflect the learning and opportunities we offer, some of which include:
| Year | Award | Category | Entrant | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Herald Higher Education Awards | Outstanding Business Engagement in Colleges – NHS Training | College | Nominated |
| 2024 | Herald Higher Education Awards | Widening Access Award – HE For All | College | Nominated |
| 2024 | DG Chamber Business Awards | Net Zero Hero | College | Winner |
| 2023 | National Union of Students | Scotland Campaign Award – Here for You | Student Association | Winner |
| 2023 | National Union of Students | Student’s Association of the Year 2023 | Student Association | Nominated |
| 2022 | College Development Network Awards | Learning and Teaching Colleague of the Year Award | Colleague – Susan McLellan | Winner |
| 2022 | Green Gown Awards International | Benefitting Society | College | Nominated |
| 2021 | College Development Network Awards | Sustainability Action Award | College | Winner |
| 2021 | Institute of Directors Awards Scotland | Regional Director of the Year – South of Scotland | College – Joanna Campbell | Winner |
| 2021 | Scottish Green Energy Awards | Outstanding Project Award | College | Winner |
| 2021 | Green Gown Awards | Campus of the FutureBenefiting Society (Small Institution) | College | Winner |
| 2021 | Green Gown Awards | Sustainability Institution of the year (2020)(small institution) | College | Winner |
| 2020 | College Development Network Awards | Student of the Year | Student – Chloe Flynn | Highly Commended |
| 2020 | College Development Network Awards | Digital Learning | College | Highly Commended |
| 2020 | College Development Network Awards | Climate Emergency Action Award | College | Commended |
| 2018 | College Development Network Awards | College Colleague Development Of The Year | Colleague – Alison Martin | Winner |
| 2018 | College Development Network Awards | Sustainability Award | College | Highly Commended |
At Dumfries and Galloway College, you will find a community that is proud of what we have done and where we are going. If you choose to study with us, you will be welcomed into a progressive college that will provide you with all the tools, resources, and support you need to make your future what you want it to be. Whether you are interested in construction or sport, engineering or IT, are new to education, or if you’ve studied with us before, at Dumfries and Galloway College, you’ll pick up the skills you need to help you get one step ahead.
- Based on results of our 2019/20 student satisfaction survey ↩︎
- Based on our 2019/20 college leaver survey ↩︎