Student Spotlight – Finlay Thomson
A massive thank you to Finlay Thomson! We are incredibly grateful for his teamwork and help in building the beautiful new planters for our Wellbeing space.
Upcoming Events
- 24th of April – 10am–12pm
Therapets are specially assessed, friendly dogs that visit our campus to offer comfort and companionship. Taking a quick break to interact with these calming animals is a brilliant way to reduce your stress and boost your mental wellbeing. - Mental Health May
May 2026
Mental Health May is on the way! The Student Association, Youthwork and Active Campus will hold activities and sessions. Keep an eye on the socials for dates!
Wellbeing Garden: Taking Shape!
Progress on our campus Wellbeing Garden is going brilliantly!
The garden hut has a fresh coat of paint, and two of our three planters are now filled with soil. We are currently finishing the final planter and preparing to lay a concrete pad. This will house a special memorial bench dedicated to Angela Connelly, a beloved Childcare lecturer who sadly passed away in 2022.
A massive thank you to the Dulux Decorator Centre for donating the paint, and to our amazing student volunteers for their hard work in creating this peaceful space!
Message from the SA President Honor Gibson
“Wow — how is it already the last term?! This also marks my final few weeks as your Student President, and what an incredible experience it has been. It has been a real privilege to represent you, take your ideas and feedback to senior staff, and see so many of them come to life.
I’m really looking forward to everything we have planned for you as we head into the end of April and into May. From exciting activities to our annual Above and Beyond Awards at the end of May, there’s lots to celebrate — and I’m so glad I get to share these moments with you all.”
SA Officer Elections
Do you want to be at the forefront of the student voice? The Student Association Officer Elections are fast approaching!
This is your opportunity to step up, represent your peers, and drive real change across our Dumfries and Stranraer campuses. Whether you are passionate about event planning, student wellbeing, or improving the Class Rep system, being an SA Officer is a fantastic way to build your leadership capacity and make a lasting impact.
College in Pictures
GrimDark Gamers
Calling all adventurers and commanders! The GrimDark Gamers is a fantastic, relatively new club run by Computing Lecturer Chris Connor and Marketing Assistant Carla Lorimer.
Dedicated to getting students involved in Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer 40k, and other exciting Tabletop Roleplaying Games, the group has been a massive hit so far.
Sessions take place after college on Tuesday and Thursday evenings down in the Learning Zone. Whether you are a seasoned tabletop veteran with your own painted miniatures or an absolute beginner wanting to learn the ropes, every student at the college is completely free to join the campaign and get involved!
Upcoming Above & Beyond Awards
The highlight of the academic calendar is fast approaching! The Student Association’s annual Above & Beyond Awards are returning on Thursday, the 28th of May, between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm, to celebrate the incredible individuals who consistently go the extra mile across our college community.
Whether it is in the classroom or behind the scenes, this is your opportunity to shine a spotlight on those who make DGC such a vibrant and supportive place to learn. We will soon be opening nominations across a variety of categories, including Most Supportive Student, Acting with Courage, Outstanding Class Rep, and Best Staff Team.
As our Principal and CEO, Douglas Dickson, noted at last year’s event: “The Above and Beyond Awards are a reminder of the exceptional talent, dedication and spirit that defines Dumfries and Galloway College.” Keep an eye on your student emails and the SA social media channels for the official nomination forms launching in the coming weeks.
Start thinking about which of your peers and lecturers deserve recognition, and let’s get ready to honour their outstanding achievements at both our Dumfries campus ceremony and the Stranraer Celebration of Success Day!
Over 50s Pickleball Success!
One of our HNC Fitness, Health and Exercise students, Bill Wilson, is leading an over 50s Pickleball programme as part of his Graded Unit.
These sessions have become a brilliant example of how sport can bring the wider community onto campus. What started as a student-led idea has grown into a welcoming and inclusive weekly session, designed to help people aged 50+ stay active, social, and connected.
Pickleball is the perfect fit for this group. It is easy to pick up, low impact, and enjoyable from the very first session. Participants do not just come for the exercise, but for the social side too, creating a strong sense of community each week.
This initiative also supports the wider aim of helping people stay active later in life, showing that sport at Dumfries and Galloway College is truly for everyone.
Message from Connor McGeorge
It’s been a great year for Active Campus, with a range of new sports and activities introduced across the college, supported by the Student Association and Youth Work. Our Level 6 Sport and Fitness students have been excellent, leading sessions and growing in confidence throughout the year.
We are working hard with the Student Association and Youth Work to make this a very fun last term. We’re now looking ahead to the National College Finals and our first-ever Female Football tournament in May.
Thanks to everyone who has taken part or supported Active Campus.
If you are interested in any sports or events we don’t currently put on then get in touch and we can try and arrange for this to happen. Contact Connor McGeorge via Teams.
Active Campus Activity Timetable
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 – 9:30am Gym | 7 – 9:30am Gym | 7 – 9:30am Gym | 7 – 9:30am Gym | 7 – 9:30am Gym |
| 12:30 – 1:30pm Football | 12:30 – 1:30pm Table Tennis Multisports | 12:30 – 1:30pm Football | 12:30 – 1:30pm Basketball | 12:30 – 1:30pm Multisports |
| 3pm to 5:45pm Basketball | 4:30pm – 7:30pm Gym | 4pm to 5:30pm Badminton | 3pm – 6:30pm Pickleball |
Help & Other Resources
Student Association Resources
Student Support
Welfare Self-Referral Form
Need support? Connect with our Student Adviser team for help with mental health, funding, housing, or general wellbeing. We are here for you!
SAAS Applications for 2026/27
Funding applications for the 2026/27 academic year are officially open. Go to the SAAS website and submit your application early, ensuring your finances are fully in place for the start of your course.
Student Counselling Service
If you feel you would benefit from professional, confidential support, yoy can self-refer to our Student Counselling Service.
*Please note that our counsellors will reach out to you directly via Microsoft Teams, so make sure your Teams notifications are switched on and you check your messages daily!
Student Advisers
Our dedicated Student Advisers — Lindsay Chisholm, Jan Clark, and Tanja Livingstone — are here to support you throughout your college journey. Whether you are seeking advice on student funding, housing, course concerns, or your general wellbeing, the team provides a safe, confidential space to talk.
You can easily reach out to them for support by email
Student Funding
We are dedicated to ensuring that financial worries are never a barrier to your learning! If you are studying at levels 1–6, our Student Funding Team is here to offer clear guidance, advice, and support on a range of options, including:
- FE Bursary & EMA
- Childcare Support (FE & HE)
- Discretionary Funds (Housing & Emergency)
We understand that applying for funding can feel overwhelming. Our team is here to guide you through the eligibility criteria, help complete your applications, and provide updates.
Please note: Students at Level 7 and above must apply for their main funding directly through SAAS.
Get in Touch
- Location: The Point, Room 1012 (directly left of reception)
- Email: studentfunding@dumgal.ac.uk
- Phone: 01387 734 240
- Appointments: Private chats, in-person, phone, or MS Teams, are welcome upon request.
Other Student Help
- Foodbank available in the Student Hub
- Free Soup & Roll available from Canteen at Lunch
- Lunch vouchers are available from Student Advisers for those in need
- Free Breakfast in the Canteen — speak with Canteen Staff