‘Get That Degree’ through your local college

Going straight to university and getting a degree is a route that is not easily accessible to everyone but now, through a collaborative partnership between Borders College and Dumfries and Galloway College, along with a number of Scottish Universities, the opportunity to get a degree after successfully completing a college course will become much easier.

Providing a pathway of college-to-university career opportunities, and making them available to college students across the south of Scotland, is the ultimate goal of the newly appointed Progression Manager Dr Jane McKenzie, who commented:

“Students in the south of Scotland have huge potential; however, opportunities to gain a degree close to home can be limited. Through the ‘Get That Degree’ project, we will establish degree pathways that are accessible within the region and will contribute towards enhancing the local skills and knowledge base.  For both colleges, this exciting development further expands their role in providing accessible education for communities within the south of Scotland.”

With an ambition to deliver the innovative progression programmes, locally at college and through the network of Hub and Spoke Centres located throughout the south of Scotland, students will be able to study for their degree closer to home with, in some instances, occasional attendance at one of the university partners, who will be announced later in the year.

The new degree pathway aims to ensure learners on the programme have the ability and opportunity to study full or part time, in a range of flexible delivery methods, and make use of the digital technologies available throughout the south of Scotland, and embraces the £6.6 million investment from SoSEP across the south of Scotland.

Borders College Vice Principal for the Curriculum Heather Anderson commented:

“I am delighted that Dr Jane McKenzie has commenced this post and look forward to working with her to explore a wide range of subject areas.  The College has several routes to gain a degree, including Graduate Apprenticeships and Higher National Diplomas, but these will be further expanded in the next few years.

“Students are able to study a range of pathway courses when they are still at school and our Foundation Apprenticeship programme allows our young people to gain valuable, real-world work experience and access work-based learning while they’re still at school, and it’s a chance for them to get a head start on their careers by gaining an industry-recognised qualification.

“For those in work, our Graduate Level Apprenticeships provide work-based learning opportunities up to Master’s degree level for employees, and have been created in partnership with industry and the further and higher education sector.”

Studying at college allows you to build your confidence for moving forward and progressing to a university course. Some HNCs allow you direct entry into the second year of a degree programme, and some HNDs allow direct entry to third year.

The ‘Get That Degree’ programme also gives students the opportunity to study in stages and gain qualifications recognised by employers, and of course Universities welcome applications from college students, appreciating the breadth of experience and commitment to learning gained.

Both colleges can support students through the articulation process.

Partner Universities include: Edinburgh, Napier, Heriot-Watt, Abertay and Dundee. The ‘Get That Degree’ programme launches in 2020.