Dumfries and Galloway College Heritage Trail • Stop 3
Partnerships with Universities
Working together to widen opportunity, support progression and keep higher education close to home.
Watch and Listen
This stop explores how partnership has helped expand opportunity for learners across the region.
By working closely with universities, the College has helped students move from college into higher education while staying in Dumfries and Galloway.
Dev note: replace the example video with the final Waymarker 3 video when ready.
Read the video transcript
Partnership has always been central to the College’s mission.
Through collaboration with universities, students can progress from college courses into higher education without leaving the region.
The Crichton Campus in Dumfries is a unique example of this approach, bringing together colleges and universities to expand opportunity and widen access to higher education.
Did you know?
The Crichton Campus brings together further and higher education in one place, helping students progress to university study without moving away from the region.
Why partnership matters
Partnership has long been part of the College’s story. By working with universities, Dumfries and Galloway College has helped create clearer routes for students who want to continue their learning beyond college.
These partnerships mean learners can begin their journey locally, build confidence and qualifications, and then progress to higher education while staying connected to their home, community and support networks.
The Crichton Campus
The Crichton Campus in Dumfries is a powerful example of this shared approach. It brings together colleges and universities in one place, creating opportunities that might otherwise be harder to access in a rural region.
For students, that means more choice, more progression routes and a better chance to continue into higher education without leaving Dumfries and Galloway.
Listen: Learning through partnership
A short reflection on how partnership working has opened up opportunities for learners in the region.
Working together today
Partnership working continues to shape the College today. Dumfries and Galloway College and the University of the West of Scotland have strengthened this shared commitment through a Strategic Partnership Agreement focused on future skills, progression routes and collaborative opportunities for learners.
Together, the two institutions have supported pathways in areas including Business, Computing, and Health and Social Care, helping build an education offer that reflects the needs of the region and the people who live here.
Take a moment to reflect
Access to education can be shaped by where we live, the support around us and the opportunities within reach.
How important is it for people to be able to study, progress and succeed without having to leave their local community?
Continue the trail
As you continue, look out for more moments in the College’s history where collaboration, innovation and community helped shape new opportunities for learners across Dumfries and Galloway.