Legislation On Colleges And Universities

29th November 2012

New legislation will support better job chances for college leavers and ensure more students from poor backgrounds go to university.

The Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill, published today, will drive forward regionalisation of colleges, the most fundamental change to the sector for two decades. Regionalisation will eventually support efficiencies of £50 million annually, improve governance and ensure courses are better aligned to employer need.

Specific measures requiring universities to do more to widen access for young people from deprived areas are also included in the Bill, alongside a proposed cap to limit the fees for students from the rest of the UK to the same level as their country of domicile.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Michael Russell said:“The Bill will change the way colleges are governed and structured. Courses will still be delivered locally and what young people now study will give them a greater chance of getting a job because the courses, when and where they are delivered, will be more aligned to what local businesses need.

“Our reforms will reduce the duplication of 41 college administrations and savings of £50 million will help the sector meet the funding reductions necessary as a result of constraints imposed by the UK Government. This will all be done while we continue to protect full time places for young people and guarantee a place in education or training for every 16 to 19 year old. Colleges will also become more accountable through an open and transparent appointments process.

“Abolishing tuition fees, which is delivering record numbers of young people at college and university in Scotland, and committing to the best package of student support in the UK is accompanied by measures to ensure universities do all they can to increase access for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“This Bill recognises the severe financial constraints we have in Scotland without full fiscal autonomy while also delivering in a time of severe cuts to our Budget. It prioritises what matters most to the people of Scotland – the best deal for young people and the economy in terms of post-16 education.”