Students ready for academic life after hard summer school

More than 300 students have completed an intense programme in order to secure a place at Dundee University.

Uptake for the university’s summer access course, which helps gain entry to degree-level study, was transferred fully online this year and uptake rocketed by 80%.

Ian Dickie, 28, will go on to study mental health nursing after completing the six-week programme.

He said: “Summer school has been hard work, time consuming and exhausting, but definitely worth it.

“Being out of education for 12 years, I was worried about the level of study suddenly expected of me. Thanks to summer school I am going into university with more confidence and knowing what to expect, which will be invaluable.”

Lynn Mclaughlin, 35, is also preparing to study mental health nursing.

She said the access course prepared her for life as a mature student.

“There is no other experience that will give you a clear view of what will be expected of you at university,” she said.

“For mature students like me that are returning to study after many years, summer school has been a life line that has shown I am more than capable of undertaking a degree at my age – even with the added stresses of running a house and raising children.

“I would never have believed in myself to this extent if it wasn’t for summer school.”

Since it was launched in 1993, the access summer school has helped 3,000 students secure a place in higher education and has been hailed as a national example of best practice.

Course director Dr John Blicharski said: “It is amazing how the university’s learning community pulled together, with around 100 staff providing more than 50,000 hours of learning this summer – all delivered from their own homes to students also at home.

“The fact so many students now have such bright futures is a huge tribute to the commitment of all involved and an extraordinary effort.

“We remain as determined as ever to encourage those with the greatest potential, regardless of how tough their learner journey to us has been.”

Ian Dickie and Lynn Mclaughlin have secured places at the university.