Background Information

In Dumfries and Galloway, rural deprivation and isolation are major factors in limiting education choices for young people. Physical travel is difficult and a culture exists of young people remaining close to families - young people in this region have the highest drop-out rate when attending Universities and Colleges outside the area to return to family ties. Head Teachers have also identified that there is a proportion of students who are capable of attending a Higher Education but lack either the motivation or the confidence to progress.

For these reasons, the CUSA (Crichton University Scholarship Agreement) initiative has been developed to widen access to higher education and to increase sustainability within the area. CUSA has the full support of all fifteen secondary schools in the Dumfries and Galloway region. The scheme applies to all University of Glasgow , University of Paisley and Bell College students who elect to study at the Crichton University Campus. Pupils can register for the scheme from S5 onwards (with the exception of Bell College , students can register from S4 onwards).

CUSA : The Scheme

The scheme is designed to make higher education a reality for more young people in Dumfries and Galloway and to encourage them to think of the Crichton
University Campus as their preferred location.

It is principally targeted at two groups of school leavers:

• Those who need further encouragement and assistance to realise their potential and
• Those who for personal and/or family reasons wish to continue their education locally

Developed with the support of Head Teachers of secondary schools in the region. All S5/S6 pupils throughout the Dumfries and Galloway region will be informed about CUSA, and invited to become members.

The CUSA scheme consists of a series of guarantees and a package of benefits:

The Guarantees

• CUSA school leavers will be offered a guaranteed place on an agreed HE/degree course at the Crichton University Campus (CUC) provided they meet the entry requirements which may include an interview;
• CUSA school leavers will be offered a place on the CUC Summer School which will give them the opportunity to get a taste of the facilities and a sample of university lecturing before they commence their degree.

The Package of Benefits for the CUSA Student

• A campus bursary of £200 per annum for the duration of the HE/degree course (maximum of 3 years - 4 years if doing Honours - and subject to the student maintaining satisfactory progress on a full-time course);
• Applicants Open Day;
• A place on the Campus Summer School;
• Individual meetings between the CUSA student, their parents and the CUSA officer.

At £200 per year per student (a total of £600 per student for the three year duration of a course), it is anticipated that the bursary will make a real difference to the student attending Crichton University Campus, and provide the motivation to achieve the entrance grades set. The graduated series of guarantees is designed to chance the attitudes prevalent in the region, and help students to achieve.

The strength of the Crichton University Campus is in being able to offer a wide range of courses where staff encourage and support students into reaching their full potential and equip them with the skills to go into the outside world.

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