What we do
What we do
Our mission is to invest in the development of a coherent college and university system which, through enhanced learning, research and knowledge exchange, leads to improved economic, educational, social, civic and cultural outcomes for the people of Scotland.
In 2009-10, we are investing about £1.7 billion in Scotland's colleges and universities. Our funds contribute to the costs of teaching, research and other activities - including costs related to staff, infrastructure, buildings and equipment. For a brief overview of the Council's funding see Facts and Figures leaflet.
Our main activities are to:
- develop policies and strategies which support Scottish Government priorities, meet our statutory duties, and contribute to our corporate plan objectives for further and higher education;
- implement our policies and strategies through our investment of public funds in colleges and universities;
- ensure that the quality of teaching is enhanced and assessed - working with colleges, universities, student representative bodies and the quality assessment agencies (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in the college sector and the Quality Assurancy Agency in the University sector);
- monitor the financial health and sustainability of colleges and universities in order to safeguard the interests of learners, the investment of public funds, and the reputation of further and higher education in Scotland;
- collect, evaluate and publish relevant statistical data and other evidence about further and higher education; and
- provide advice to the Scottish Government on further and higher education and other relevant issues.
We also provide resources to colleges to support students on further education programmes. Funding for students on higher education programmes is provided by another body - the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.