Perth College

• Location: Perth, Scotland,
• Year of foundation: 1961,
• Number of students: about 7000,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of education: mixed.

Perth College is an educational institution of further and higher education located in the heart of Scotland. It is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), thanks to which it has a wide network of partner educational institutions and local companies. The College is also a flagship educational institution for the people of Perth and Kinross, providing academic support to people of all ages and backgrounds.

The history of the college began in 1961, when the Center for Additional Education was opened: at that time, technical areas were taught here for students who wanted to gain applied skills in the field of electrical installation, construction, carpentry and joinery. After about 50 years and several name changes, in 2010 the institution was named Perth College UHI and valuable links with the only university on the islands of Scotland. Now there are about 7000 international students studying at Perth College, and many of them choose a distance format or part-time.

Despite the focus on local education, Perth College has many international students - students from various countries around the world choose advanced educational courses, higher education programs at Perth College due to the flexibility of curricula, access to online learning, excellent conditions for classes and the development of individual qualities on campus.

The educational staff here is represented by more than 500 highly qualified researchers, doctors of science in various fields. Teachers educate subject modules, provide support in the format of additional classes, help in adapting to the new education system, and track the individual progress of each of the pupils.

Educational staff and teachers provide comprehensive support to all students, from the college application process to career counseling upon graduation. Thanks to a variety of services, students achieve excellent results in their studies and the development of their own interests, thereby ensuring a good start in their careers.

Perth College teaches dozens of specialized programs in a variety of areas, such as:

• Administration, IT,
• Aviation
• Audio
• Business, accounting,
• Mining Research Center,
• Computer Engineering,
• Creative industries,
• Early Education, Childcare,
• Healthcare, social assistance,
• Horticulture
• Humanities, Social Sciences,
• Music business,
• Theatrical Art,
• Sports, fitness,
• Social and professional research.

Despite the fact that many international students go to college after graduating from high school, the average age of Perth College students is 38 years old.

On-campus residences provide safe and comfortable accommodation for 78 students. Students are accommodated in single bedrooms located in fully furnished shared apartments, cottages. All residential buildings have common areas: kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms.

Students who choose to stay in the residence are treated as adults and must be prepared for an independent life: keep their rooms clean, take care of clean clothes and food on their own, and participate in cleaning the common areas. A team of staff living in the same residential building can assist students at any time of the day.

The residence offers room reservations for a period of nine months - from September to June, while allowing students to stay during the October, December and April holidays.

Another option for a comfortable stay is accommodation with host families, which offer international students the opportunity to enjoy a useful experience of communicating with English-speaking residents, immersing themselves in the culture, history and customs of Scotland. Each year, the college welcomes students from all over the world: China, the United States, India, Nepal, Pakistan or South Africa, from neighboring European countries – Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany and France. Living with a host family, foreign students often keep in touch with them for a long time after returning to their homeland! Families offer students rooms in comfortable houses and two meals a day: breakfasts and dinners daily.

If desired, students can request assistance in finding off-campus housing — the staff will provide contacts of trusted landlords and agencies.

Extracurricular life at the college is in full swing throughout the year - from the fall to the summer semester, students organize many events: from musical concerts, theatrical performances to scientific seminars, creative workshops, sports competitions. Upon admission to Perth College, each first-year student automatically joins the Student Union, thanks to which they receive comprehensive support from other students, can choose a circle of interest or develop their sports skills.

List of the sport activities includes:

• Badminton;
• Basketball;
• Soccer;
• Pickleball;
• Netball;
• Rugby;
• Volleyball.

National teams participate in interuniversity and national competitions, annually bringing awards for leading places in the rankings. Such achievements help team members to receive third-party scholarships, the attention of qualified coaches in order to create a good career in the future.

If team sports are not suitable for the student, he can use sport gyms, fitness rooms and the help of highly qualified specialists. The sports center teaches classes in yoga, various types of wrestling, dancing, and general maintenance of good physical shape.

Theme Clubs are communities where a group of international students united by the same passion or hobby create an atmosphere of friendship and support. Circles of interests organize events, carry out volunteer or other work related to their direction. Communities are represented in dozens of areas: from needlework, cooking, TV series, and board games to esports, charity, and research.

Perth, being a beautiful place with a special landscape, is fantastic for wildlife watching and outdoor activities: mountain walks, skiing and snowboarding, rafting, horseback riding, golf, fishing, canoeing, rock climbing and many other activities await students of Perth College off-campus.

• Close cooperation with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and a network of partners throughout the country,
• Flexible curricula that allow you to take courses in a distance format,
• Three forms of education: full-time, distance (online), part-time with the ability to combine study with work,
• A modern campus in the heart of Scotland, offering high quality academic and sporting infrastructure,
• Comprehensive support: from applying to college to finding a job upon graduation,
• Accredited programs and courses.

Located in central Scotland, Perth College boasts a vibrant student campus in a thriving and dynamic city with a fascinating history. Perth has been voted one of the best places in the country to live, one of the friendliest and safest cities in the UK. There are many restaurants, bars, shops, an award-winning concert hall and a theater. Perth's vibrant atmosphere has earned city status in honor of Her Majesty the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012. Breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage: Scottish castles, museums, monuments to visit, national parks and vast areas of unspoiled wilderness will provide students with plenty of leisure and different outdoor activities.

Perth College's academic buildings offer students a variety of spaces for study, development, research, and recreation, from lecture halls and specialized laboratories to computer labs, student association gathering areas, and sports infrastructure. Perth College has its own Sports Academy and a centre with a swimming pool, gyms, an ice rink and even a local Scottish Premier League football team.

The Perth College Library is located in the Brahan building on two floors. On the ground floor you can find a reference desk, a collection of textbooks, a quiet study space, a classroom with DVD and PC, on the second floor there are rooms for group classes, a soft recreation area, art books, magazines, newspapers and Mac computers are stored there.

Right in the center of the academic grounds is the Student Union department, which houses Starbucks, where you can relax and attend a variety of events.

The academic year consists of two semesters:

• Autumn: September-January,
• Spring: January-June.

In the summer months, seasonal camps for children are held on campus, retakes of exams are organized, additional classes are held if necessary. Lessons throughout the year are kept on weekdays, and on weekends, days of national and international holidays, vacations, students rest.

Approximate list of additional costs includes:

• Registration fee;
• Accommodation options, meals;
• Annual student fees;
• Additional academic support, some consulting services;
• Part of extracurricular activities;
• Customized training materials;
• Personal expenses.

Applicants will have to go through several stages of admission:

• Submission of the application, required documents,
• Payment of registration fees,
• Receiving an invitation to entrance exams,
• Passing an interview, possible profile tests,
• Receiving an official invitation to enroll,
• Payment of part or all of the cost of the program,
• Arrival at campus and start of classes.

Graduates of Perth College achieve excellent results in the final exams, and then begin a career in their specialty (on average, it takes them no more than a year).

International applicants who decide to enroll in programs at Perth College must have a full package of valid personal documents: passport, health insurance, visa or residence permit. Depending on the level of education for which the application is made, the candidate must provide a high school diploma/bachelor's diploma, assessment certificates, IELTS or other accredited test results. For comfortable learning, foreign students will need a level of at least B2.

Some specializations may require special knowledge in subject areas, for example, in mathematics, physics.

Perth College students who are successful in their studies are awarded annually with college foundation scholarships and partner organizations. Many awards are given on the basis of belonging to faculties, that is, they encourage special success in the study of specialized disciplines. Some of the funding programs are:

• Aramarca Scholarship,
• AS Wealth Management Scholarship,
• Azets Business Scholarship,
• Ballintaggart Scholarship,
• Crieff Hydro Culinary Scholarship.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision