SFC news published since 2018. See SFC archived content for earlier news articles.
Colleges we fund
Universities and Higher Education institutions we fund
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has today (Thursday 13 April) issued indicative funding allocations to colleges and universities for the new Academic Year 2023-24, maintaining investment levels in teaching and research despite the challenging fiscal environment.
Investment of over £1,265 million in teaching (the same level of funding as last year) will secure opportunities for Scottish domiciled students to study and gain lifelong skills at college or university and will support part-time and full-time courses, including a broad range of provision across all professional, technical and academic levels, including apprenticeships. This investment will also provide opportunities that will help lift people out of poverty. Colleges and universities will continue to demonstrate impact and best value for our investment through the Outcome Agreement process.
This year we are introducing a number of new flexibilities, including changes to guidance which will enable colleges to deliver the optimal balance of full-time and part-time provision. Minimum activity thresholds will be set for funded allocations as a first step in working with colleges to move towards allocations that more closely reflect anticipated student activity. To recognise semi-fixed costs, a proportion of SFC’s funding will not be directly related to the delivery of teaching activity and will therefore not be at risk of recovery where minimum thresholds are not met. Taken together these changes signal a more dynamic approach to funding that enables colleges to deliver activity that is right for their region and mission.
In line with government priorities and the pressures facing college students, SFC has also committed to increasing the bursary for care-experienced students.
We have maintained opportunities for Scottish domiciled students through our university funded places, while providing a small uplift in the funding for each funded place and support for Scotland’s small, world-leading specialist institutions. We have made a small adjustment in the number of funded places in response to some downward trends in student numbers at particular institutions and because previously funded EU students are now leaving the Scottish system having completed their courses.
We have kept our investment in excellent university research at current levels, adjusting the Research Excellence Grant allocations for individual universities in line with their results from the 2021 Research Excellence Framework evaluation exercise, while increasing our investment in university innovation by £5.5 million. Innovation funding will support the diffusion of knowledge and build real and tangible impact from Scotland’s excellent research base, supporting the Scottish Government’s ambitions for economic prosperity, health and wellbeing, and the just transition to a net zero future.
Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said:
“Today’s announcement maintains funding in teaching, learning and research, supporting Scottish students to flourish, and colleges and universities to meet the needs of learners and employers at the regional and national level. Our investment will enable colleges and universities to play a full role in addressing the challenges and opportunities inherent in Scotland’s economic, social and environmental life.”
Full details of the indicative college funding allocations for 2023-24.
Full details of the indicative university funding allocations for 2023-24.
