Student Numbers Falling in Scotland's Colleges - Trends and Causes

4th February 2026

The latest College Statistics 2024-25 report from the Scottish Funding Council shows a clear decline in the number of students participating in further and higher education at colleges across Scotland.

Between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years, the total number of college students decreased from 218,145 to 209,285 This is a fall of more than four per cent in just one year and part of a broader downward trend amounting to roughly 16 per cent fewer students over the last two years. Enrolments have similarly dropped to their lowest levels in over a decade.

This reduction is striking given the importance of colleges in Scotland's education and skills system. Scotland's colleges serve diverse populations, including school leavers, adult learners, and individuals seeking retraining or upskilling for the labour market. They also act as an important pathway to higher education for young people from more deprived backgrounds.

Reasons Behind the Drop in College Numbers

Several interconnected factors help explain this decline:

1. Funding cuts and financial pressures

One key factor is the significant reduction in government funding for the college sector. Reports indicate that real-terms funding has fallen by around 20 per cent in recent years, forcing colleges to reduce courses, shrink staff numbers and scale back capacity. These financial constraints limit the number and variety of programmes colleges can offer, which, in turn, can discourage potential students.

2. Closure of training programmes

Analyses of earlier College Statistics data show that the ending of schemes like the Flexible Workforce Development Fund — which provided free or subsidised training for employees — contributed to decreased headcounts and enrolments when it was discontinued. Without such programmes, many adults and employees lost a route into further education.

3. Focus on younger learners

Strategic changes in college recruitment and activity targets also play a role. The SFC and colleges have increased emphasis on attracting younger learners, particularly senior-phase (S4-S6) school pupils, which can alter patterns of enrolment. While this is positive for early vocational engagement, it may coincide with fewer adult or part-time learners, who historically form a significant share of the college population.

4. Broader demographic and economic trends

Wider demographic shifts — such as declining populations in certain age groups — coupled with the cost-of-living crisis may also make education less accessible for some older learners, who might otherwise enrol part-time or return to study for retraining. Economic pressures can push potential students toward immediate employment or apprenticeships rather than longer college courses.

5. Competitive pressures from universities

There is also evidence that colleges are increasingly competing with universities for students, particularly in higher education provision. Some colleges have seen notable declines in higher-education enrolments as prospective students choose university routes.

The College Statistics 2024-25 report paints a complex picture of further education in Scotland. While colleges continue to deliver vital educational outcomes and even attract more younger learners the significant drop in overall student numbers and enrolments highlights systemic challenges facing the sector.

These challenges stem largely from underinvestment, shifts in funding and programme availability, demographic pressures and broader economic conditions that affect learners' decisions.

To reverse this trend, stakeholders argue that investment, policy adjustments, and strong pathways between schools, colleges and universities will be essential in ensuring Scottish colleges can continue to serve learners and the economy effectively.

Read the detailed report from The Scottish Funding Council HERE