Summer Residential 2024
Application Deadline: Wednesday 15th May 2023 at 5.00pm
Summer School Start Date: Wednesday 29th May 2024
Summer Residential | University of Glasgow, Dumfries Campus
This is an exciting opportunity for anyone holding an offer to an undergraduate degree programme at the Unversity of Glasgow, Dumfries Campus. This Summer Residential is a three-day on-campus event from 29th - 31st May 2024 in the town of Dumfries. Accommodation is available on campus for those who need; priority is given to those joining us from outside of the region but all are welcome to apply for a room.
Who is this Summer Residential for?
This Summer Residential is for anyone who intends on joining the University of Glasgow's Dumfries Campus as part of either the Environmental Science & Sustainability, Primary Education with Teaching Qualification, or Global Sustainable Development programmes.
Please note that you do not have to have accepted your offer to attend this Summer Residential. You may hold a Conditional or Unconditional Offer.
What does it cost?
This Summer Residential is free; there is no tuition fee. It also includes accommodation options; there is no cost for this to you.
Accommodation
Accommodation is allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis and is arranged for you by the University of Glasgow. Spaces for accommodation are limited so please apply as soon as possible to secure your place. Accommodation will be at the Holiday Inn Dumfries; based on Campus and a short 5-minute walk from the University buildings.
Programme Structure
The Summer Residential runs from Wednesday 29th May to Friday 31st May 2024.
The programme includes:
- An introduction to university-level study in a supportive, friendly environment, with opportunities to ask questions and meet staff and students
- Experience of academic writing, study skills, lectures and seminars
- Field trip with our Environmental Science and Sustainabilty team
- Outdoor learning experience with our Primary Education team
- Research trip with our Global Sustainable Development team
- An introduction to important research being conducted at our campus, and its relevance to you as future students on these programmes
- Social activities and opportunties to meet Student Ambassadors, and build relationships with other students
- Tour the campus and find out more about the facilities we have here
Entry Requirements
All applications are considered on an individual basis. Applicants are expected to hold a current offer for joining the University of Glasgow in September 2024 on one of our undergraduate programmes.
How to apply
General Enquiries can be made to:
+44 (0) 1387 702001
General Enquiries can be made to: dumfries-comms@glasgow.ac.uk
See the links below to find out more about our Undergraduate programmes, and life at Dumfries Campus:
- Environmental Science & Sustainability
- Global Sustainable Development
- Primary Education with Teaching Qualification
- Studying in Dumfries
Summer School Structure and Schedule
The below is a proposed schedule for information only and is subject to change or amendment.
Wednesday 29th May 2024
TBD: Welcome and Introductions: Skills for University 1
We will begin by introducing the course leaders and welcoming you to the School of Social & Environmental Sustainability.
This session is where we begin to explore dimensions of the university experience, beginning with the questions: ‘What is study at university for?’; ‘what kind of person is a university graduate?’ Across the study skills sessions you will be given an excellent grounding in what you can expect from undergraduate study – making you truly ready to hit the ground running in September.
TBD: Campus Tour with Student Ambassadors
A tour of Rutherford McCowan, Maxwell House, and Library led by our team of friendly Student Ambassadors. Our Student Ambassadors are all current students who are knowledgeable about the campus and all that university life in Dumfries has to offer. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions about the campus, our School and its programmes, and see the facilities on campus.
13.00 - 14.00: Lunch with Ambassadors
Get together for a special Welcome Lunch and a chance to get to know each other, and your Student Ambassadors.
14.00 - 16.00: Global Sustainable Development 1
Dr Nwamaka Okeke-Ogbuafor, Lecturer in Global Sustainable Development, will lead an interactive session on the different conceptualisations of sustainability. Participants will be invited to explore sustainable development from the perspective of different stakeholders, including policymakers, scientists, as well as farmers and fishers who rely on natural resources to make their living. These perspectives will be presented through a case study of Lake Chad in West Central Africa, which has shrunk dramatically in recent decades due to climate change and water diversion, and where Dr Okeke-Ogbuafor has conducted several of her research projects.
TBD: Social Event
Thursday 30th May 2024
09.00 - 15.00: Field Trip
We will spend the day at a local seashore undertaking outdoor activities. Please do be prepared with waterproof clothing and practical footwear. We will be outside whatever the weather! Today will entail activities associated with two of our degree programmes.
Session 1: Environmental Science and Sustainability
Dr Natalie Welden
In this session, we will look at the value of citizen science projects in creating valuable scientific data. By exploring the shore and recording what we find, we will learn more about these vital habitats as well as identifying key indicators of our changing climate.
Session 2: MA Primary Education
Ms Sarah Stevenson
Outdoor Learning is now seen as a fundamental part of Learning for Sustainability in schools across Scotland. We are blessed to have a rich environment on our doorstep to support students learn the skills they need to teach different aspects of Learning for Sustainability through outdoor education.
We will discover the art of fire lighting, beach art and shelter building. We will also learn about managing risk for outdoor learning activities.
TBD: Social Event (Movie Night)
Join staff, Student Ambassadors, and your fellow students at our BBQ hosted at the Rutherford McCowan Building, next to our Teaching Garden and outdoor veranda.
Friday 31st May 2024
TBD: Introduction to Study Skills
Dr David Borthwick
In this session we will demystify the kinds of assessments you may expect during your undergraduate experience. You have all written essays and undertaken exams successfully to earn your place. In what ways are assessments slightly different at degree level? What new skills will you need to develop? What new ways of teaching and learning will you encounter? We will discuss how to study independently and help you build a toolkit of key skills – from literature searching to presenting your work – which will help inform and enhance your university experience.
12.00 - 13.00: Lunch
Your own time to explore the campus and grab lunch at Cafe Rutherford or one of the other options on campus.
13.00 – 15.00: Global Sustainable Development
Dr Alistair Hunter
Sustainable development concerns everyone, not just those in the Global South but also the Global North, with implications from the local to the planetary scale. On Day 3 we will visit the Crichton Trust, which is the organisation responsible for the management and development of the Crichton Estate in Dumfries, where our campus is based. We will explore the global challenges of climate change and population ageing, and learn about the Crichton Trust’s plans to become a net zero community, including the development of a district heat network and the creation of an innovative “21st Century Village” adjacent to the campus, focusing on sustainable, intergenerational and ‘smart’ housing for a range of groups in need of affordable accommodation.