Mickey Dugan

From stage to student voice: Mickey Dugan’s NESCol journey

Mickey Dugan graduated with an HND in Music at NESCol’s Aberdeen Ceremony in October, but his journey with the College is far from over.

Mickey, from Pitmedden, is now serving as Depute President of the NESCol Students’ Association—a role he’s embraced wholeheartedly, driven by a passion to enhance the student experience across the College.

A passion for music

A keen guitarist since childhood, Mickey’s love for music was evident early on. He studied Advanced Higher Music at Meldrum Academy before deciding to turn his hobby into a career path by enrolling in the HND Music course at NESCol’s City Campus.

Over the next two years, Mickey thrived. Alongside honing his guitar skills, he learned to play the piano and, in his second year, focused on composition—writing music across a variety of genres.

First-rate facilities and industry experience

Reflecting on his time at NESCol, Mickey said,

“I had a fantastic experience. The HND gave me the chance to explore a wide range of subjects relevant to today’s music industry. The lecturers are incredibly supportive and encourage you to pursue your interests. The student-staff relationship feels equal, and they’re so approachable. That made a huge difference for me. Plus, the Creative Industries facilities are second-to-none. I’ve toured several universities, and NESCol’s professional-grade equipment and spaces are far superior to anything else I’ve seen.”

The course also offered real-world industry experience. Mickey and fellow students formed a band, The International Space Station (ISS), and recorded their debut EP at NESCol. They performed at the College’s end-of-year showcase event and went on to win Eruption, Aberdeen’s Battle of the Bands contest hosted by Krakatoa in February 2025—beating nearly 40 local bands and securing a £2,000 prize.

ISS also had the opportunity to support rising Edinburgh-based band High Fade, adding another valuable experience to Mickey’s musical journey.

Amplifying the student voice

Despite a busy schedule of coursework, rehearsals, and performances, Mickey also founded the NESCol Music Society. Now boasting around 70 members, the society continues to grow—organising events and networking opportunities for student musicians. His involvement with the society, supported by the Students’ Association, sparked an interest in student representation and advocacy. So when the chance to run for Depute President came up, Mickey didn’t hesitate.

Elected by his peers, Mickey is now fully immersed in his new role.

“I love that no two days are the same. One day I’m running a student event on campus, the next, I’m in Edinburgh for a National Union of Students (NUS) meeting. I’m passionate about education and making sure students get the most out of their time at NESCol.”

Looking ahead, Mickey hopes to continue in his Students’ Association role for a second year before taking up a deferred place at the University of Aberdeen to study for an MMus in Music Education.