COVID-19: Information for the education sector

This page includes information and advice from Scottish and UK Governments for the education sector.

Scottish Government Strategic Framework and Guidance on Levels

23 February 2021: Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science - Strategic Framework and return of colleges and universities [PDF].
30 December 2020: Scottish Government - Coronavirus (COVID-19): impact on fair access to higher education - interim report.
1 December 2020: Advisory Sub-Group on Education and Children’s Issues – advisory note on face coverings in college and university.
18 November 2020: Letter from Minister for Further and Higher Education to Students - Scottish Government Strategic Framework and New Protection Levels [PDF].
17 November 2020: - Letter from Minister for Further and Higher Education to College and University Principals - Scottish Government Strategic Framework and New Protection Levels [PDF].
16 September 2020: Scottish Government - letter to college and university principals on COVID-19: The New Academic Term [PDF].
7 August 2020: Advice from Scottish Government on face coverings in libraries and reading rooms.
30 July 2020: Scottish Government - Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for continuity in learning.
Effective from 22 July 2020: Scottish Government - Safer Workplaces Sectoral Guidance: College, University and Purpose Built Student Accommodation.
29 June 2020: Scottish Government - Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for universities.
29 June 2020: Scottish Government - Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for colleges.
29 June 2020: Scottish Government - Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for laboratories and research facilities.
18 June 2020: Letter from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and
Science - Update to Principals on the main changes for the college and university sectors in Phase 2 of the Framework for Decision Making [PDF].
27 May 2020: Scottish Government - Colleges and universities preparing for phased return.

Student Advice: Accommodation and Travel

27 January 2021: Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science - letter to colleges and universities re semester 2 return [PDF].
27 January 2021: Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science - letter to students re semester 2 return [PDF].
15 January 2021 (update): Scottish Government - Coronavirus (COVID-19): universities, colleges and student accommodation providers.
4 January 2021: Letter from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science to College and University Principals [PDF].
16 December 2020: End of term — college and university students returning home (Returning Home, Asymptomatic Testing and Semester 2 — FAQ).
9 December 2020: Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science: Return in semester 2 for college students [PDF]
9 December 2020: Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science: Return in semester 2 for university students [PDF]
9 December 2020: Coronavirus (COVID-19): student home visits.
9 December: COVID-19 and self-isolation among students: Lessons learnt (September to November 2020).
23 November 2020: End of term — college and university students returning home and asymptomatic testing — FAQ.
23 November 2020: Transport Scotland advice on how to travel safely.
11 November 2020: Letter from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science - Supporting students to return safely at the end of term [PDF].
27 September 2020: Scottish Government - Student Accommodation Guidance on visits home [PDF].
Effective from 22 July 2020: Scottish Government - Safer Workplaces Sectoral Guidance: College, University and Purpose Built Student Accommodation.
Effective from 29 June 2020: Scottish Government - Student Accommodation – Travel Guidance
11 June 2020: Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science - Ministerial update to Principals on student support and accommodation issues [PDF].
5 June 2020: Scottish Government - Student accommodation – travel guidance.
27 March 2020: Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science – Letter to institutions with advice regarding students in residence [PDF].

Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 Student Accommodation

The Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 which makes provisions in relation to tenancies for students in halls of residence and Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) has come into force. There is a 7 day notice period for those who have already entered into a student residential tenancy agreement and have occupied the property; and a 28 day notice period for those who have already entered into a student residential tenancy but have not yet occupied the property and agreements entered into while the Act is in force. Students can only use notice periods for COVID-19 specific reasons. Students should contact their college, university or Purpose Built Student accommodation provider if they wish to give notice.

Student Advice: Financial Support

SFC FAQ document [PDF] on student support for further education.
15 June 2020: Student Awards Agency Scotland - SAAS approach to support payments for students starting Academic Year 2020-21 [PDF].

Student Advice: International Students

23 April 2020: Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science – Letter to international students.
9 April 2020: Scottish Government – Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for international students.
23 March 2020: QAA – Initial guidance for Higher Education Providers on standards and quality.
Study UK – Information regarding COVID-19.

Staffing and Salaries

13 November 2020: UK Government Job Retention and Loan Schemes (update from 6 November 2020) [PDF].
12 November 2020: Letter from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science – Sick Pay for Outsourced Workers [PDF].

COVID Testing

23 November 2020: End of term — college and university students returning home and asymptomatic testing — FAQ.
10 September 2020: Scottish Government - Letter to College and University Students [PDF] from the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and National Clinical Director on COVID-19 testing and common cold / flu like symptoms.
24 April 2020: Scottish Government – Letter to employers [PDF] on expansion of UK Government Coronavirus testing.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested in Scotland.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): prioritisation matrix for key workers to be tested.

Course Quality and Assessment

24 April 2020: QAA – ‘No detriment’ policies: an overview.
3 April 2020: Colleges Scotland and SQA – Joint statement on alignment of assessment approaches for HNC, HND, NC, NPA and NQ.

Apprenticeships

17 June 2020: Joint update from Colleges Scotland, Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and Universities Scotland - Update on Foundation Apprenticeships due to complete 2020.
1 June 2020: Skills Development Scotland - COVID-19 Relief Grant for learning and training providers.

Research and Innovation

29 June 2020: Scottish Government - Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for laboratories and research facilities.
6 May 2020 - £75m boost for university research.
9 April 2020: UKRI – Government announces support for PhD students as a result of coronavirus disruption.
UKRI – Coronavirus hub.
UKRI – Get funding for ideas that address COVID-19.

Early Emergency Phase of COVID Response

4 May 2020: UK Government – Actions for HE providers during the coronavirus outbreak.
30 April 2020: Letter from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science to colleges universities on Working Together to Respond to COVID-19 [PDF].
21 March 2020: Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science – Letter to college and university Principals on the Coronavirus emergency [PDF].

Advice from Other Agencies

23 March 2020: UCAS – Coronavirus (COVID-19) update following message from the UK Government on university admissions.
UUK – Coronavirus hub.
Erasmus+ – Advice about Erasmus+ in relation to Coronavirus.
Jisc – Coronavirus hub.
Advance HE: Briefing Note [PDF] to support universities and colleges: Supporting Staff & Students Experiencing Gender-based Violence (GBV) During the COVID-19 Crisis.