About Dumfries and Galloway College

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:

YearAwardCategoryEntrantOutcome
2024Herald Higher Education AwardsOutstanding Business Engagement in Colleges – NHS TrainingCollege Nominated
2024Herald Higher Education Awards Widening Access Award – HE For All College Nominated
2024DG Chamber Business Awards Net Zero Hero College Winner
2023National Union of Students Scotland Campaign Award – Here for You  Student Association Winner 
2023National Union of StudentsStudent’s Association of the Year 2023 Student Association Nominated 
2022College Development Network AwardsLearning and Teaching Colleague of the Year AwardColleague – Susan McLellanWinner
2022Green Gown Awards International Benefitting Society College Nominated 
2021College Development Network AwardsSustainability Action Award College Winner
2021Institute of Directors Awards ScotlandRegional Director of the Year – South of ScotlandCollege – Joanna CampbellWinner
2021Scottish Green Energy Awards Outstanding Project Award College Winner 
2021Green Gown AwardsCampus of the FutureBenefiting Society (Small Institution)CollegeWinner 
2021Green Gown AwardsSustainability Institution of the year (2020)(small institution)CollegeWinner
2020College Development Network AwardsStudent of the YearStudent – Chloe FlynnHighly Commended
2020College Development Network AwardsDigital LearningCollegeHighly Commended
2020College Development Network AwardsClimate Emergency Action AwardCollegeCommended
2018College Development Network AwardsCollege Colleague Development Of The YearColleague – Alison MartinWinner
2018College Development Network AwardsSustainability AwardCollegeHighly 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.

  1. Based on results of our 2019/20 student satisfaction survey ↩︎
  2. Based on our 2019/20 college leaver survey ↩︎