Local Student Orientation
The Local Student Orientation was developed through a research project to understand experiences of local ‘commuter’ or ‘home’ students at the University of Glasgow, and this informed the development of the activities to support and encourage early and ongoing engagement with University life from induction week onwards.
This event is now established as part of our transition activities for local and widening participation students and runs each September in the week before Freshers’ Week. From 2014-2019 we welcomed over 500 new local students annually at the campus for the day event.
In 2021/22, the provision pivoted to hybrid format and was delivered over a week both on campus and online - via Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Moodle; the platforms used as a student at UofG.
Local Student Orientation 2024 is hybrid again and dates are September tbc
Why take part?
This is a great opportunity particularly for new local students who are not moving into University Halls, or new students who don’t know many others starting at UofG, to meet people and get an early introduction to the University and student life, to get yourself up for a great start to the year, already familiar with some aspects of the online learning environment.
In Microsoft Teams, there is the opportunity to meet other students in the UofG College who are going to be studying the same or similar subjects. Meet with our current students and hear what student life is really like and get more information about starting university. There are live sessions where student’s questions are answered by staff and students.
Research and evaluation continues to show this event has a positive impact on the students’ experiences of starting University and that attendees are more likely to continue in their studies beyond year 1.
Eligibility Criteria
The Local Student Orientation is for new students from west of Scotland schools and colleges, and for anyone from across the country who has taken part in one of our pre-entry programmes or is receiving pre-entry support from the Widening Participation team. Pre-entry programmes include Top-Up, Reach and Summer Schools, as well as SWAP or Open Studies Access courses.
Eligible new undergraduate students will receive an email in August with the link to register for the Local Student Orientation.
For more information, please contact: