Student Advisers

Student Advisers

Our Student Advisers are very approachable and are available to give guidance and support on a large range of issues including funding issues, money problems, housing, and any concerns you may have that affect your welfare or wellbeing.

The Student Advisers when on campus are based in the Point behind Reception in Dumfries and room G35A in Stranraer.

Advisers can be contacted on:
Tel: 01387 734 064/ 065 (Dumfries)
Tel: 01776 706 633 (Stranraer)
Email: studentadviser@dumgal.ac.uk

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Meet our advisers

Meet Stuart and Tanja who are two of our Student Advisers here at the college. While we are working virtually you can contact them using studentadviser@dumgal.ac.uk or the contact details below.

Stuart Clark

Student Experience Officer
Dumfries Campus
clarks@dumgal.ac.uk
01387 734 064 / 734 065

Jo McKellar

Student Adviser / Educational Support Worker
Stranraer Campus
mckellarj@dumgal.ac.uk
01776 859 637

Jan Clark

Student Advisor / Student Experience Officer
clarkj@dumgal.ac.uk
01387 734 065

Tanja Livingstone

Student Adviser
Dumfries Campus
livingstonet@dumgal.ac.uk
01387 734 064

Lindsay Chisholm

Student Adviser
Dumfries Campus
chisholml@dumgal.ac.uk
01387 734 057

Julia Smith

Student Counsellor
Dumfries Campus
smithj@dumgal.ac.uk
01776 859 637

Refugee’s and Asylum Seekers

Dumfries and Galloway College are committed to creating a culture of welcome and inclusiveness within our institution and we endeavour to reflect that in the support we provide Refugees and Asylum seekers.

We offer help and guidance from the pre-application stage including information on courses, funding, entry criteria and support available. 

Our college has named contacts who work within key teams who can help answer any questions you have about studying with us.

Claire Marshall
Student Journey Officer (Admissions, Pre-Entry Advice)marshallc@dumgal.ac.uk

Stuart Clark
Student Experience Officer (Student Support)clarks@dumgal.ac.uk

In 2023 The Educational Support Team launched a new cross-college support group – DG PALS (Peer, Academic & Language Support).

Students in the College who have resettled in the region or have refugee status are invited to join the group with the ambition of creating a College Community where students with similar needs and backgrounds can meet and access targeted information and support. 

We work closely with multiple partners such as Lifelong Learning, Massive Outpouring of Love, and the D&G Multicultural Association to create a platform where we can share their events, opportunities, and community support available with our students. 

Opportunities to engage with ESOL courses, study skills workshops, employment opportunities, and community events are also promoted using the platform. 

Applicants who have disclosed their refugee/resettled status on their application are invited to join but you can also contact the Educational Support Team directly at clarks@dumgal.ac.uk to request to be added. 

If you are a student who has English as a second language, are socially isolated, or have recently arrived in Scotland from another part of the world then please get in touch to find out more about the group.

Education Support

Sometimes you might need a little extra support to ensure you achieve your potential, this might be in every class, might be occasionally and the support can be received in different ways.

You can work with the student advisers to find the method which suits you best. It may be extra software on your device, it could be from our educational support worker or it might be extra time in assessments or exams. It can be daunting asking for the help but we believe it will help you achieve your course, remember you can always change your mind.

Financial Concerns

EMAs and Bursary Advice

For advice about your EMA or bursary the Student Funding team can help you with what you might be eligible for and how to apply for funding.

The Student Funding team can also help you with any queries about applying for funding or login issues with your funding application form.

Hardship Funds and SAAS

Our Student Advisors can help advise you about any hardship funds you may be eligible for, or any queries about SAAS funding, and Student Loans.

We can also provide information on budgeting and applying for Hardship funds to help with Childcare and Housing costs.

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Careers Advice

Skills Development Scotland offer support to college students of all ages to develop their career management skills and consider their options ahead of their current college course. This could be progressing to a higher level of college course, university, training or employment. You can find out more here

Skills Development Scotland offers 1:1 coaching appointments in Career Guidance and employability support, face to face in our public access centres (post-covid) or virtually. You can contact us through the details below:

Dumfries

Dumfries Careers Centre
The Loreburn Centre,
High Street, Dumfries
DG1 2BD

01387 272 500

Stranraer

Stranraer Careers Centre
7 South Strand Street,
Stranraer
DG9 7JE

01776 889 793

Skills Development Scotland are also on both campuses from 10am – 2pm at the Point in Dumfries and FAC in Stranraer.