From 'Young Strathclyder' at one end of the age spectrum to the largest programme of university-based learning opportunities in the UK aimed at those over 50 at the other, discover more about the opportunities for learning that Strathclyde provides, as well as opportunities for personal development and volunteering.
Learning, Personal Development and Volunteering
Young Strathclyder
Young Strathclyder is new outreach programme launched by the University of Strathclyde, engaging hundreds of pupils in Glasgow primary schools.
The initiative is designed to raise awareness of higher education, support attainment and offer learning opportunities for young people.
The scheme operates during normal class time and an annual Graduation Celebration in the University’s Barony Hall will celebrate the pupils who’ve completed the activities.
In the summer pupils can also take part in one-week discipline-specific ‘Accelerate Summer Challenges’ across five to eight different subjects, spanning all four Faculties.
Coordinated by the Access, Equality and Inclusion Service, Young Strathclyder aims to involve staff and students from across the Faculties and Professional Services and builds upon the University’s previous primary school programme, the Glasgow Children’s University.
The Children’s Library Club
The Children’s Library Club runs 3 times a year in Strathclyde’s Andersonian Library. The club, which is now coming into its fifth year, is run by students from the School of Education to give children a taste of University life.
The club runs for an hour a week for 4 weeks, for children in P3 to P7. Children use the books available in the library to carry out research into a chosen topic. During their sessions the children share the library with other Strathclyde undergraduate and postgraduate students, studying and researching in just the same way that they are. At the end of the 4 weeks, the children present what they have found out about the chosen topic to their parents in the library and are presented with a certificate.
Schools Outreach Programmes
The Faculty of Engineering are committed to encouraging school pupils to consider a career in engineering, and offer a wide range of activities that allow them to experience what it's like to study at Strathclyde and to open their eyes to the multitude of career paths on offer. The wide range of projects offered include:
In addition, the Faculty of Engineering has established The Engineering Academy to increase widening access participation by delivering various pathways to a range of engineering degrees. The Engineering Academy is a pioneering programme that offers an alternative route into university and employment as a Strathclyde student. The first year is an enhanced HNC programme with direct transfer into second year of an engineering degree. The Academy is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde, partner colleges and the engineering industry.
Learning
The Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL) is renowned locally and internationally in educational gerontology and providing learning for older adults. With the largest programme of university-based learning opportunities aimed at those over 50 in Europe, we aim to meet the increasingly diverse learning needs of older people. Through the Centre for Lifelong Learning at Strathclyde, over 2500 adult learners take a range of classes each year and our programmes are constantly evolving to cater to the interests of this demographic.
Our current programmes can be viewed below;
Volunteering
As part of the Age-Friendly Academy activity we often seek volunteers, typically aged 50+, to take part in a range of University-wide volunteering opportunities or research activities.
Read more about our volunteering opportunities
Support
There are many ways to get support, get involved and build new social networks within the Centre for Lifelong Learning and the wider University:
- The Learning in Later Life 3 Ls Student Association was established in 1988 and currently has over 1000 members who have benefitted from classes run by the Centre for Lifelong Learning. Membership of the 3Ls provides a range of benefits, including eligibility to join 3Ls Clubs, attend social events and lunchtime talks, a regular newsletter and benefit from advance mailing and priority booking for the CLL Daytime Programme. A programme of social outings is organised for members, including buildings of historical, architectural and cultural interest. You can join the 3 Ls Student Association here.
- At the CLL we have a loyal group of Student Ambassadors who promote and raise awareness of the diverse range of courses and opportunities at CLL to a wide range of organisations, clubs and societies within the wider community. If you are current or former CLL student and are interested in becoming an ambassador, or if your group or organisation would be interested in hearing a talk from one of our ambassadors, please contact Gemma.Gilliland@strath.ac.uk.
- The Mature Students' Association (MSA) is a representative group which aims to cater to the large number of mature students who study at Strathclyde to allow them to meet other mature students and socialise. The MSA gets involved in representing the issues which affect mature students and ensures that these issues are recognised both locally and nationally for the student population. Visit the Mature Students Association website for more information.
Upskilling and CPD
The University of Strathclyde offers a range of Upskilling courses designed to provide more agile support for both employers and employees to upskill and reskill, increasing the provision of in-work learning using flexible models of learning.
Visit Upskilling at Strathclyde | University of Strathclyde to see the courses offered by each Faculty.
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers Personal and Professional Development opportunities in a range of areas, including Transferable Skills for Work for those who may be looking to re-enter the workforce, are facing redundancy, or are considering a career change and are keen to develop their skills for work.
You will also find an innovative portfolio of learning, including short and medium-length courses taking place online and in-person in other areas including:
National Manufacturing Institute Scotland
The University is also host to the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) where industry, academia and the public sector work together on manufacturing research to transform productivity levels, making companies more competitive and innovative while boosting the skills of the current and future workforce.
The NMIS The Manufacturing Skills Academy offers advanced manufacturing training and development opportunities for individuals at all levels of their career.
