A further education college based on the Crichton Campus in Dumfries, with a subsidiary campus in Stranraer and a centre for course delivery in Newton Stewart. The college was established in 1973 occupying sites at Heathhall and on George Street, in the centre of Dumfries, until 2008. The strikingly-modern Crichton Campus building was officially opened by First Minister Alex Salmond in 2009 and the college shares its library there with the University of West of Scotland, and other facilities with the University of Glasgow and the Open University. The Stranraer Campus admitted its first students in 1990. The College provides courses to more than 6000 school leavers, adult learners and international students across a broad range of subjects, including business skills, education, hairdressing, health and beauty, hospitality, information technology, and sports and recreation. The College also offers commercial training services to local businesses.
The College is led by a Board of Management which draws its membership from the college management, students, the business community and the public sector. Its income amounted to £13 million in 2011-12, with approximately 80% coming as grants from the Scottish Funding Council.
