23 July 2013
Students celebrate as summer school turns 21
Photo opportunity: 1.45pm, Tuesday July 23rd
Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill,
University of Dundee
Students will be celebrating their Summer School graduation
While many of us have been enjoying a hot summer, 132 students from Scotland and beyond have been sweating it out to earn a
coveted undergraduate place at the University of Dundee.
The University's Summer School - now in its 21st year - has provided over 1,500 students with the launch pad to success.
This year's cohort of eager students will be celebrating their achievement when they graduate from Summer School on Tuesday
(July 23rd).
'This has been an unforgettable experience and I've loved every single minute of it,' said student Hannah Dolan (18), from
Livingston, who is hoping to get a place studying European Politics & Spanish. 'I've also made so many great friends who
it feels like I've known a lifetime! I thoroughly enjoyed the whole course and I think summer school is a brilliant idea.'
Summer School allows students held back by adversity to earn a place at University. The annual graduation ceremony recognises
the hard work of students who enrolled on the programme as a way of proving their ability for higher education, but who lacked
traditional qualifications.
Dr John Blicharski, Course Director, said, 'This year we have offered more modules to more degree destinations to more
students than ever before. It is always a pleasure and a privilege to see our students graduate from Summer School having
earned the right to study at University.
'Many of them have gone on to achieve first class honours degrees, PhD's or other postgraduate qualifications. Our
students have made a real difference to the economy and their communities and are fantastic ambassadors for the DUAL Summer
School programme.
'Putting yourself forward for this kind of challenge requires commitment as well as ability and we hope even more apply to
join us next year.'
The University's former Rector Lorraine Kelly has kept in touch with the course over the years and sent a good luck message
to the students at the start of this year's School. The current Rector, Hollywood star Brian Cox, has also been very supportive
of the programme and has stated he wished it had been around when he left school!
The University's Summer School programme was first proposed in 1992 as a means of encouraging able students from all
backgrounds and circumstances to prove their ability to qualify for study through a special targeted course. Since then,
more than 1500 students from a diverse range of backgrounds have taken part. Whilst some have just left school, others
return to study, including talented candidates who are looking to change career.
For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902 |
