A new report from the Scottish Funding Council shows that colleges in Scotland exceeded last year’s annual target for providing learning and teaching despite the challenges they faced as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
According to the report, College Statistics 2019-20, colleges exceeded the Scottish Government’s 2019-20 target by almost 1,400 FTEs (full-time equivalents) – a key measure of college performance. Although the report points to the challenges faced by the sector at the start of the pandemic, colleges adapted to changing circumstances, moving swiftly to digital learning and online recruitment.
The report also draws attention to population changes currently affecting the number of young people going to college in Scotland. The last decade has seen a decrease in the number of Scottish 18 to 19 year olds of almost 14 per cent. Despite the decreasing demographic, colleges remain an attractive option for young people, with the proportion of 18 to 19 year olds participating in full-time college education remaining stable. In the last academic year, one in five young Scots in that age bracket was a full-time college student.
Additionally, the report highlights that courses related to medicine, health care and health and safety account for the greatest proportion of learning activity, increasing by 2.8 percentage points this year and continuing a trend that began in 2010. This means colleges are well placed to play their part in addressing the challenges that have been brought into sharp focus by the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, as recipients of additional funding this year from Scottish Government initiatives such as the Young Person’s Guarantee and the National Transition Training Fund, colleges will play a vital role in Scotland’s economic recovery.
Martin Boyle, Director of Policy, Insight and Analytics at the Scottish Funding Council, said:
“It is a fantastic achievement for colleges to have met their student number target at the same time as balancing so many other issues resulting from the pandemic. Not only did they respond to the challenges of providing online learning but they also continued to enroll students through innovations such as virtual online open days and online enrolment.
“Colleges are currently working across their communities with employers, local government, employer representatives and others to support economic recovery both during and after the pandemic as well as playing an important role in initiatives such as the Young Person’s Guarantee and the National Transition Training Fund.”
See full details of the new report, College Statistics 2019-20.
The Scottish Government has announced university students will be taught online throughout January and February, with the vast majority not expected back on campuses until the start of March, as part of a revised plan for their return in light of the spread of the new variant of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Only very small numbers of students will be allowed back on campus this month, for example, those:
- Who have remained over the winter break.
- Whose attendance is critical and whose education cannot be delivered remotely or postponed, essential placements, or for reasons of student well-being.
- Where attendance is time-sensitive to the ability to graduate and cannot be delivered remotely or further postponed, very limited numbers of students may be able to return from mid-February. However all arrangements are subject to a future review of COVID-19 conditions.
Colleges will follow the level guidance for their local authority area which in practice means with limited exemptions the majority of college students’ studies will be online in January and into February.
Richard Lochhead, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, said detailed sectoral guidance will be published as soon as possible next week, but that his basic message to students remains that they should not return to their term-time accommodation until in-person teaching resumes, as advised by their institution.
Mr Lochhead said:
“These changes reflect the current status of the virus, the reality of the new strain, and the rise in cases in recent weeks.
“The return of students to campus, including returning to term-time accommodation, involves the mass movement of thousands of people across the country. The mixing of people on that scale, including the potential movement of tens of thousands of students to university halls and private-rented flats, simply isn’t safe right now. It would fuel the virus, and that is something no one wants.
“Our immediate priority right now is to say to students, other than in specific special circumstances, they must not return to their campus or term-time accommodation before they are specifically told to do so by their institution.
“For the overwhelming majority of university students, this means all learning will be online-only at least for January and February, and students should not expect to return to campus or student accommodation before the end of February.
“We will review plans in light of the state of the pandemic nearer the time, but right now even the very limited number of returns that were previously planned for phase 2 of the restart dates, cannot happen until at least the middle of next month for the majority of students, supported by rapid-result testing on arrival.”
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has published a new statistical report looking at student transitions from college to university. The publication focusses on articulation, the mechanism which enables college students to join a university degree course at the start of its second or third year.
Recent advances in SFC’s development of a national database for articulation have opened up new and more nuanced ways of understanding how the process works.
For the first time analysts have been able to study two distinct groups. One group covers a wider definition of articulation and includes a wider spectrum of qualifications, as well as students moving between the higher education courses provided by the University of the Highlands and Islands and SRUC. The second group only comprises Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma qualifications and excludes internal movements within institutions that provide both further and higher education courses.
According to the report’s authors, widening the discussion in this way opens the door to a more complete understanding of the learning pathways available to students wishing to progress without repeating any levels of learning.
Although the report effectively sets a new baseline for analysing articulation, it also provides an annual comparison of the proportion of students living in Scotland who enter a university degree course from HNC/HND at college. This has remained at between 21 to just less than 23 per cent since 2014-15 and has been a consistent contributor to progress in widening access.
Whilst the growth in acceptances of a university place from people living in Scotland’s most deprived areas (including a 5% increase for 2020-21) has helped to place Scotland effectively two years ahead of its widening access targets, articulation has also played an important part. Its proportional contribution has held steady despite more disadvantaged students choosing direct entry to university as their route to a degree.
Commenting on the significance of today’s report, SFC’s Director of Policy, Insight & Analytics, Martin Boyle said:
“Improving pathways from college to university is one of the ways in which we can expand access to higher education and it’s important that our institutions continue to work together so that learners receive credit for prior learning where appropriate. Thanks to productive collaboration we now have a clearer and more detailed picture about pathways to a university degree. The findings of today’s report will feed into our Review of Coherent Provision and Sustainability, and further develop our thinking about more efficient pathways for learners.”
Read the full Articulation from Scottish Colleges to Scottish Universities 2014-15 to 2018-19 report.
Scottish Water and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) have announced a unique partnership with the University of Stirling to turn Scotland into one of the world’s leading hydro nations.
The publicly owned water and waste water company and SFC have appointed the University of Stirling to host and lead a £3.5m initiative to make Scotland a global leader in water research.
The initiative, which is funded by Scottish Water, will be a catalyst for academic research and innovation led by the newly-created post of The Scotland Hydro Nation Chair.
The Chair, hosted by the University of Stirling, will provide the leadership to forge collaborative partnerships across the sector to deliver solutions for sustainable water management in Scotland. The University has an extensive track record of delivering impact and innovative solutions in water research.
The University’s leadership and research expertise will play a pivotal role in the Hydro Nation partnership, supporting the ambitions for Scotland to transition to a net zero economy. It was chosen following a competitive bid process involving a number of Scottish universities.
Funding to support the Hydro Nation Chair in Water post and its associated activities will be spread over six years from April 2021.
Professor Maggie Cusack, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Stirling, said:
“We are proud to be host institution for Chair of this partnership that will use the expertise, technologies, services, and natural opportunities present in Scotland to attract new investment and position the country as a world-leading Hydro Nation. That ambition can only be achieved by bringing the research community together with industry, regulators, and citizens.
“By transforming our relationship with the environment and through responsible commercial leadership, the Hydro Nation partnership can improve health and wellbeing, support economic development, and tackle the climate and biodiversity emergencies. The role it has in promoting a green recovery can be a global exemplar of best practice for sustainable water management.”
The University will now lead the international recruitment process for the appointment of the partnership’s Chair, and other key roles.
George Ponton, Head of Research and Innovation at Scottish Water, said:
“Scottish Water’s strategic plan has set challenging objectives to go beyond net zero emissions, deliver service excellence and great value for our customers.
“The Scotland Hydro Nation Chair will provide thought leadership and research excellence from across the academic sector to enable the transformation required to meet these ambitions.
“This is a great opportunity to build on the great reputation that the Scottish research community has and for Scotland to become internationally recognised as a leader in water research and innovation.”
He added:
“Research and innovation will be a key enabler for the transformative change required to the way the water sector operates, to make a positive contribution to Scotland’s net zero ambition, to deliver service excellence and to live within the means of our planet’s resources.”
Dr Stuart Fancey, Director of Research and Innovation at the Scottish Funding Council, said:
“As the host university for the Scotland Hydro Nation Chair in Water, the University of Stirling will play a fundamental role in the future of Scottish research and innovation in this area.
“By being the lynchpin for future collaboration between universities, the University of Stirling will help to catalyse new discoveries in water technology and will consequently play a crucial role in helping to tackle the climate emergency. The Scottish Funding Council is really pleased to support Scottish Water as it creates this exciting new leadership opportunity.”
Environment and Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said:
“I am pleased that Scottish Water have partnered with Stirling University. This is a hugely significant development that will consolidate Scotland’s place as a global leader in water research and make good on our Programme for Government commitment to support Scottish Water’s journey to net zero by 2040.
“The recently published annual Hydro Nation report shows how innovation and research excellence are central to our vision of Scotland as a Hydro Nation. I am proud that the water sector not only continues to flourish but is playing such a significant role in ensuring our future is green, just and sustainable.”
Scotland’s Hydro Nation Chair will complement the existing relevant research and innovation initiatives and infrastructure in Scotland and will play a leading role in maximising Scotland’s academic water impact, international reputation and engagement with wider sectors to deliver the knowledge and capability required to enable transformative change and to attain net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
New research and innovation stimulated by the creation of a Scotland Hydro Nation Chair will include the recycling of waste-water and ways of enhancing the natural environment. Importantly, it will also work towards ensuring that people across the whole of Scotland will continue to enjoy access to high quality drinking water.
Now in their sixth year, the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2021 have been launched today. The awards celebrate the exceptional achievements of academic and business partnerships.
Hosted by SFC-funded Interface, the awards ceremony will be held virtually on World Creativity and Innovation Day, 21 April 2021.
Two new categories have been added for next year’s awards. One will showcase the incredible business-academic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a second will celebrate an individual or team working behind the scenes to forge impactful business-academic partnerships.
Applications are being invited in eight categories, from businesses; public sector organisations; third sector; universities; research institutes; and colleges which are leading the way towards economic growth, societal improvements and environmental advances in Scotland and beyond.
Ivan McKee, Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation, who has attended the Awards for the past two years, said:
“Innovation will underpin the growth of Scotland’s high value, inclusive and sustainable economy, and organisations must collaborate if we are to achieve our full potential.
“Interface’s rapid response to the challenges of COVID-19 demonstrates what Scottish businesses and academia are capable of. This ability to pivot, innovate and co-operate will be key to Scotland’s economic recovery from the pandemic.
“The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards are an important showcase of the important, and growing links, between business and academia and I am delighted to support this event.”
Dr Siobhán Jordan, Director of Interface, said:
“In what has been a difficult year, business-academic partnerships have continued to make a difference, rising to the many challenges brought by COVID-19, as well as other health, societal and environment issues.
“We are looking forward to receiving a high level of applications from across Scotland, showcasing the best of business-academic partnerships.”
Either Academics or businesses can submit an application by the deadline of 5pm on Friday, 12 February 2021.
For further information and a full list of categories see the Interface website.
The first projects to receive a share of the new £25 million National Transition Training Fund have been unveiled by Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, Jamie Hepburn.
Among the first to receive support are projects within key sectors of the Scottish economy that have suffered the most from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including aviation, construction and tourism. The fund will also help people take advantage of the jobs available in future growth areas, such as digital and green technologies.
Speaking as the projects were announced, Mr Hepburn said:
“The pandemic has had significant impact on our economy and we know this is a worrying time for people. We will continue to do everything we can to protect jobs and ensure that people faced with redundancy can get back to work as quickly as possible.
“The National Transition Training Fund plays a key role in this and is targeted at those who have either lost their job or are at risk of redundancy as a result of COVID-19. It will help up to 10,000 people across Scotland retrain and develop the skills they need to secure their future employment.
“Crucially, this fund will not only help those working in sectors most affected by the pandemic and whose livelihoods are at risk, it will also support people to take advantage of jobs available in growth areas of the Scottish economy, which will help us in our transition to net zero.
“As we recover from the pandemic, we must create a stronger, more resilient, more sustainable economy. Ensuring people have the right skills to future proof their careers is crucial in achieving that goal.”
James Dunphy, Director of Access, Learning and Outcomes at the Scottish Funding Council, said:
“The National Transition Training Fund will be a crucial part of Scotland’s economic recovery from the effects of the global pandemic.
“It will also provide a significant skills boost to Scotland’s industries of the future. Colleges are well positioned to help deliver the priorities the new fund seeks to address, and they will have the full support of the Scottish Funding Council in doing so.”
Katie Hutton, Director of National Training Programmes at Skills Development Scotland (SDS) said:
“The National Transition Training Fund is playing an important role in helping more people access jobs in the growth areas of our economy.
“This benefits not only those individuals who are gaining new skills to get back to work, but employers in key sectors who are able to recruit from a larger pool of talent.
“Together with other measures such as Pathway Apprenticeships, the Young Person’s Guarantee and the Flexible Workforce Development Fund, it will help our economy emerge as strongly as possible from the pandemic.”
More employers across Scotland can now apply for funding to provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities for their staff.
The Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF) helps businesses to invest in their workforce and is available for all of Scotland’s employers subject to the UK Government’s Apprenticeship Levy. For the first time, the fund will now be available for both levy payers and SMEs, across the private, public and third sectors.
In August this year, the FWDF was doubled to £20 million for 2020-21, with £13 million made available through the first phase to allow colleges to provide additional support for levy paying employers. This was part of the Scottish Government’s response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The second phase of the fund, backed by £7 million, will also be utilised to respond directly to the impacts of the pandemic, and will be open to applications from 16 November 2020.
Of this, £5 million will be distributed by the Scottish Funding Council to support SMEs through a college and Open University in Scotland partnership, while Skills Development Scotland will offer a new option which will test the use of private training providers for levy paying businesses who require specialist training.
Business, Fair Work and Skills Minister Jamie Hepburn said:
“Opportunities for training are essential for both employers and employees, and in August we doubled funding for our Flexible Workforce Development Fund to £20 million for 2020-21 to ensure businesses across Scotland can continue to invest in their workforce.
“As this fund adapts and responds to the impacts of the pandemic, we will also see the introduction of additional delivery partners including the Open University in Scotland and private training providers for employers who require more specialist training.
“By strengthening upskilling the existing workforce, in partnership with colleges, we can retain jobs and support employers as they pivot and adapt to a new and very different working environment as a result of the pandemic.”
The first organisations to back the £60 million Young Person’s Guarantee have been announced by Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop.
In a collective effort to help young people, the Scottish Government has been joined by SSE, Capgemini, NHS Lothian, Scottish Water and Standard Life Aberdeen in the commitment to ensure everyone aged between 16 and 24 has the opportunity of work, education or training.
The Guarantee aims to give all young people in Scotland the chance to succeed despite the economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) Organisations backing the Guarantee make five pledges to help young people at this critical time:
- Prepare young people for the world of work through work experience, volunteering and work-based learning opportunities.
- Engage with and provide opportunities to young people who face barriers to work.
- Create work-based learning, training and upskilling opportunities for young people.
- Create jobs and opportunities for young people through apprenticeships, paid internships and work experience.
- Create an inclusive workplace to support learning and enable young people to meet their potential.
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:
“The pandemic is having a disproportionate economic effect on our young people, reducing job opportunities just as they are starting out on their careers. I am delighted to be launching the Young Person’s Guarantee today to help ensure their prospects are not permanently damaged
“I want to thank the early trailblazers who have backed our ambitious initiative and recognise the importance of supporting our young people.
“The leadership of employers from across Scotland and from all sectors will be key in providing the opportunities that will make this Guarantee a success. This employer leadership will build on our strong track record of tackling youth unemployment through our industry led Youth Employment Strategy – Developing the Young Workforce.”
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is proud to be a partner supporting the Young Person Guarantee. Colleges and universities will play a significant role in delivering the educational and training elements of the scheme and will be supported to do so with funding allocated by SFC.
Students across Scotland will have access to more support to help them deal with the mental health impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Additional Scottish Government funding, which will be distributed to colleges and universities by the Scottish Funding Council, will allow support staff to carry out more frequent checks to identify potential mental health issues, as well as wider welfare concerns, such as access to food deliveries and other necessities. The funding will also help to increase the number of drop-in chats for students, which will offer counselling on a digital platform. Staff will also be able to direct students to the appropriate services, including referring them to a clinician, if appropriate.
Minister for Mental Health Clare Haughey said:
“We want students and their families to feel reassured that practical and welfare support is in place, particularly given current circumstances.
“This extra funding will build on the support already in place, including the additional counsellors provided by our recent investment of £3.64 million.
“During the pandemic we have committed £6 million of funding to improve mental health throughout Scotland. And on Monday, we announced £15 million to respond to the mental health issues of children and young people. Students have access to all services available to the general population, including the Clear Your Head campaign to support people to take care of their mental health and wellbeing.
“We have also expanded the NHS24 Mental Health Hub so that it is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and increased the capacity of the Breathing Space telephone helpline and web support service.”
Director of Access, Learning and Outcomes at the Scottish Funding Council, James Dunphy said:
“Positive mental health is fundamental to students’ ability to progress and make the most of their education experience. We know the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental and emotional health of many students, both new and returning, and so we welcome this additional funding.
“Colleges and universities have made great progress with the funding they have already received, employing additional counsellors to support students in need, and this additional funding will enable them to target their support in more flexible ways, including increased access to online services, crisis intervention, and wellbeing support for those in isolation.”
NUS Scotland President Matt Crilly said:
“We warmly welcome today’s additional funding which will help to support students’ mental health and wellbeing after a tough start to the academic year.
“The impact of COVID-19 on students has undoubtedly taken its toll – academically, financially and socially. Now more than ever we need to ensure that their mental health and wellbeing is looked after, and this funding is a welcome start to ensuring that every student who needs support, has access to it. We look forward to further details of how the funding will be allocated and spent.”
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has published for public consultation its draft Gaelic Language Plan 2020-25. Building on the commitments in its two earlier plans, this third Gaelic Plan sets out how SFC will enhance its support of Gaelic in line with the National Gaelic Language Plan.
SFC’s Gaelic Language Plan is developed within the framework of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005. It sets out how SFC will use Gaelic in the operation of its function; how we will enable the use of Gaelic when communicating with the public and key partners; and how we will promote and develop Gaelic.
SFC’s vision continues to support the aims of the National Gaelic Language Plan, particularly the growth of opportunities within the Scottish college and university sectors to learn and to use Gaelic. SFC supports the growth of opportunities to use and to learn Gaelic in Scottish communities, workplaces and learning environments which are beyond immediate spheres of influence.
Stuart Fancey, Director of Research and Innovation of the Scottish Funding Council said:
“The Gaelic Language Plan describes how our organisation supports the learning of Gaelic and the use of Gaelic in Scotland’s universities and colleges. Supporting Gaelic is a key part of our commitment to cultural and linguistic diversity in Scotland.
“As an employer we also have a responsibility to support staff engagement with the Gaelic language through staff training, Gaelic awareness courses, and ensuring the visibility of Gaelic in our working environment.”
You can view the draft Gaelic Language Plan here.
Dreachd Phlana Gàidhlig 2020-25
Tha Comhairle Maoineachaidh na h-Alba air an dreachd phlana Gàidhlig 2020-25 a chur fa chomhair a’ phobaill airson co-chomhairleachadh. Mar leudachadh air na rùintean san dà phlana roimhe, tha an treas plana Gàidhlig seo a’ mìneachadh ciamar a mheudaicheas SFC taic don Ghàidhlig ann an co-rèite ris a’ Phlana Ghàidhlig Nàiseanta.
Tha plana Gàidhlig SFC air a dheasachadh fo sgiath Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005. Tha e a’ cur an cèill ciamar a bhios SFC a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig gus an dleastanas aca a choileanadh; ciamar a bhios sinn a’ dèanamh feum dhen Ghàidhlig nuair a bhithear a’ conaltradh ris a’ phoball is ri prìomh chom-pàirtichean; agus ciamar a bhios sinn a’ brosnachadh agus a’ leasachadh na Gàidhlig.
Tha e na lèirsinn aig SFC taic a chumail ri amasan a’ phlana Ghàidhlig Nàiseanta fhathast, gu h-àraidh ri fàs nan cothroman ann an colaistean is oilthighean na h-Alba air Gàidhlig ionnsachadh agus a chleachdadh. Tha SFC a’ cur taic ri fàs nan cothroman air Gàidhlig ionnsachadh is a chleachdadh ann an coimhearsnachdan, àitean-obrach is àrainneachdan ionnsachaidh na h-Alba a tha a-mach à raointean air an toirear buaidh gu luath.
Thuirt Stuart Fancey, an stiùiriche rannsachaidh is ùr-ghnàthachais aig Comhairle Maoineachaidh na h-Alba,
“Tha am plana Gàidhlig a’ mìneachadh ciamar a tha am buidheann againn na thaic do dh’ionnsachadh agus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig ann an oilthighean is colaistean na h-Alba. Tha an taic seo mar phrìomh phàirt dhe ar rùn airson iomadachd cultair is cànain a bhith ann an Alba.
“Mar fhastaiche tha uallach oirnn cuideachd taic a chumail ri com-pàirt an luchd-obrach anns a’ Ghàidhlig le trèanadh luchd-obrach, aire-chùrsaichean a thaobh na Gàidhlig, agus a’ dèanamh cinnteach gun tèid Gàidhlig fhaicinn nar n-àrainneachd obrach.”
Seall air foillseachan an dreachd phlana Ghàidhlig air fad.
The Pathways Web App allows students and school leavers to look up further and higher education pathways in one place. The Pathways Web App was developed by the Regional Learner Passport Partnership (RLPP) and supported by the Scottish Funding Council to make pathways that exist across many colleges and universities easier to understand.
Above you will see Carole Mooney of Napier University demonstrate how the Pathways Web App is easy to use.
The advertising, promotion and understanding of learning options are often complex and difficult for pupils, students and advisers to find and navigate. In recognition of the many institutions and diverse range of courses, the Pathways Web App was established to promote and create efficient and clear routes to Higher Education in and around Edinburgh and the surrounding South-East Scotland area.
The Pathways Web App makes it clear that it is possible to move from college to university with full credit awarded for prior learning and is a distinctive and much admired feature of Scottish post-16 education. Now school leavers and students can look up their college and university options in one single place without contacting numerous institutions.
Scotland’s universities will benefit from a £10.15 million investment into adapting and improving their research laboratories as part of an £88 million UK wide scheme. The capital investment will support work on research challenges such as climate change and COVID-19 and will be distributed by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) in Scotland. An additional investment of around £1.7M will make similar COVID related adjustments to UK Research Partnership Investment Fund supported projects in Scotland’s universities.
Research labs will receive COVID-safe upgrades, such as changing the layout and equipment to move workstations further apart, installing screens, and improving air-handling and filtering systems.
The UK wide funding will help laboratories continue their vital work, contributing to knowledge, to our health and to our economy through adapting to allow working in a COVID safe manner.
Today’s announcement arises from the £300 million investment in world class research infrastructure announced by the UK Government’s Business Secretary Alok Sharma in July.
Stuart Fancey, Director of Research and Innovation at the SFC said:
“The Climate Crisis and the COVID-19 global pandemic further highlight the importance of investment in Research and Innovation. Scotland’s labs are playing a crucial role at the forefront of research in these and other important areas.
“This funding will enable vital COVID-related upgrades and other modernisation to existing research labs in Scotland. We welcome this investment by UKRI which will enable this essential work to continue throughout the pandemic”
Universities UK and GuildHE have launched the opportunity for institutions to sign up to the Knowledge Exchange (KE) Concordat. The Concordat includes eight principles to participate in the development year for England. The KE Concordat is a UK-wide initiative; however institutions from across the UK can participate in the development year.
The KE Concordat provides a framework for effective knowledge exchange and supports institutions to develop clear and ambitious strategic objectives for their KE activities. The development year will provide peer feedback to participating institutions on their strategic objectives and action plans and share examples of approaches to improvement and development of KE policies, practices and strategies.
Dr Stuart Fancey, Director, Research and Innovation, Scottish Funding Council said:
“The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) welcomes the KE Concordat as a positive contribution to furthering good practice in effective knowledge exchange. We are currently conducting a ‘review of coherent provision and sustainability’ and will consider the role of the Concordat in supporting our strategy for KE and innovation within that context.
In the meantime, we encourage institutions to sign-up to the guiding principles of the Concordat, while recognising that the current challenging environment may impact on the level of priority and implementation that can be given this year. We see this year as an opportunity to learn how the Concordat is adopted and implemented across the UK. The opportunity for any UK institution to take part in the development year process in England, should they wish to do so, is welcomed in this context.”
Institutions can sign up to the principles contained in the KE concordat and participate in the development year for England through completing a Letter of Commitment. Details of the self evaluation and action plan exercises that form part of the development year have been released on the KE concordat portal for institutions to see what is involved.
The evaluation of institutional action plans will be undertaken by evaluators drawn from the sector and partners. The nomination forms and criteria for evaluators will be issued in December 2020 with evaluators selected by February 2021.
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has published fresh guidance and college funding allocations for
2020-21’s Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF).
Launched in December 2016 the FWDF provides Apprenticeship Levy-paying employers with workforce development training, delivered by Scotland’s colleges, to upskill and reskill their existing workforce.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scottish Government has increased the annual £10 million fund to £13 million for academic year 2020-21. It will be distributed among colleges across Scotland by SFC and this year will focus in particular on enabling colleges to work with employers to adapt and respond to the impacts of COVID-19 and help employees upskill and reskill.
The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has led to an unprecedented impact on our labour market. Scotland’s colleges have a key role in providing training that can be used to address the very significant employability and skills needs employers and employees face in the coming months and the additional funding provided by the FWDF will support them to do so.
All training will be agreed by 31 July 2021 (and have commenced by 31 August 2021) to be included as part of colleges’ Year 4 (2020-21) FWDF allocations.
The Scottish Funding Council has today (Tuesday 20 October) published the findings of Phase 1 of its review of colleges and universities. The Phase 1 Report recognises the vital role of Scotland’s colleges and universities in transforming lives, supplying a pipeline of talent, supporting economic and social renewal, and forging global networks but it also points to the need for change and for a mature conversation about their future so that their continued success and sustainability can be secured.
The Phase 1 report reflects the views of more than 100 organisations and many individuals. It comes in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic which has brought into sharp focus the financial challenges already facing Scotland’s colleges and universities. It identifies the need to address the immediate challenges facing the sector in the next two academic years but also shows there is a real appetite for a stimulating debate about what Scotland needs from tertiary education in the longer term.
Key findings from Phase 1 include the following:
- We have an opportunity in Scotland to have a much more integrated tertiary education and skills system – where people can start in college and more easily transition to university, where people get credit for prior learning and don’t have to repeat levels of study, where people from disadvantaged backgrounds get access to the education, skills and apprenticeships they need, where there are good connections between the senior phase in school and the transition to college and university, where there are entry and exit points that make lifelong learning a reality, where we train people for the skills they will need for the future. That means we need to review the way we fund education and skills, and the way we track good outcomes for students, whatever stage they’re at in their journey.
- We are in a middle of a digital revolution for learners – this is going to challenge the way students learn and will shape the student experience. We have a moment of inflection here – we have the opportunity to develop more efficient and high quality curriculums online, and support tutors and lecturing staff to harness this digital revolution for enhanced learning and teaching for students.
- And we need to listen to students and make sure their interests are at the heart of everything we do.
- We must build long-term relationships between colleges and universities and employers and industry. We do a lot of this already, but we got some excellent suggestions through this review of ways of making that even better for the future.
- We have choices about how to make our research as useful as possible and how to drive innovation and make improvements that are going to benefit economic growth, commercialise new medicines, develop new green transport, for example. That’s an exciting challenge because it can make a difference to the world around us and the way we live our lives. Universities and colleges have a key role in making this happen.
Commenting on the publication of the Phase 1 Report, SFC Chief Executive Karen Watt said:
“We have a fantastic and diverse set of colleges and universities in Scotland. They are real national assets. They provide us with skilled people from all walks of life, research breakthroughs that will solve some of the big health, social and economic challenges of our time, and they are important anchors in our communities. But as the world around us changes, at a time of economic upheaval, and when resources are tight, this review asks how we can secure their continued success and sustainability for learners and for Scotland.
“This first phase review report distils views from over 100 submissions and round-table discussions from all parts of public life. It aims to generate a debate about options for change. There are no easy answers, only difficult choices. But this review shows there is a real commitment to consider those choices based on what represents best value and the best impact for Scotland’s future success. We look forward to exploring the emerging themes in more detail through Phase 2 of our review.”
The SFC review of colleges and universities was commissioned by Scottish Ministers and is being carried out across three phases. The final phase is due to be completed in early summer 2021.
The Scottish Funding Council has published guidance to universities on how they should use its national upskilling fund to develop new, flexible skills-based courses.
Now in its second year, the focus of the fund is firmly on supporting people who have lost their job or are at risk of losing their job as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Universities are being asked to build on recent innovations in this area and to further develop their ability to help people acquire skills for a changing economy. Institutions are also being encouraged to create additional learning materials and to offer opportunities to more people.
In the first year of funding for upskilling, the Open University in Scotland developed a series of special modules to address skills gaps in IT, business, maths and engineering. At Abertay University, people wanting to improve their skills in marketing were offered a suite of digital marketing qualifications designed to be relevant to any type of business. The University of the Highlands and Islands created two courses leading to qualifications in medical and social care.
In its guidance for this year, the Scottish Funding Council asks universities to collaborate to create a range of complementary opportunities and to avoid duplication. Courses developed through the upskilling fund will typically be much shorter than a full academic year and will have flexible start dates for students.
Universities are being asked to provide details of their plans for using the fund by early December.
More information is available on the SFC website.
A new blueprint for the digital age has been published today by a partnership that includes the Scottish Funding Council, College Development Network (CDN), Colleges Scotland and Jisc.
Described as “bold and inspirational”, the report focusses on how colleges can best prepare for new working practices through training and upskilling. Taking a people-centred approach, the plan also addresses the need to provide fair and equal opportunities for all in Scotland’s digital future.
Colleges across Scotland have already introduced pioneering digital initiatives, including Dundee and Angus’s Cyber Lab, which mirrors the real-life working conditions of cyber security experts. At Forth Valley College, staff have used a £65,000 investment from the SFC-administered College Innovation Fund to design an online course for healthcare workers. Glasgow Kelvin College has identified the need for a personal digital hub for students and developed the MyKelvin app. The app allows students to check their timetable, attendance record, library loans and other information about their life at college.
As part of the plan, colleges will provide high-quality opportunities for staff to improve their digital skills, and to put these into practice in their teaching and communication with students.
The Principal of Forth Valley College, Dr Ken Thomson OBE, who led the short life working group which produced the report, said:
“Thanks to digital, learning will be more engaging, giving students more flexibility. We will also be able to work with predictive analytics from real-life data, meaning that we will be able to identify students who require extra support, and use the data to support their learner journey progression.”
Our Digital Ambition for Scotland’s Colleges is now available online.
The Scottish Funding Council has announced an allocation of £13.2 million to Scottish universities for this year from the UK Government’s £1.5 billion Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).
The fund is designed to create international research collaborations to respond to global issues such as social welfare, environmental sustainability and economic development.
Since 2016-17, GCRF has supported more than 400 projects led by Scottish universities and involving over 70 developing countries. These include the development of an award-winning, low cost ophthalmology resource for health care workers by the University of St Andrews; the University of Glasgow’s research into the implications of teaching in English or native languages; and ongoing work into creating systems for safe drinking water by Robert Gordon University.
The success of Scottish universities in using GCRF and other international funding to help developing countries was reflected in the latest edition of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. The rankings, which assess the world’s universities against the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, included five Scottish universities in 2020.
Speaking about the Fund, SFC Director of Research & Innovation, Dr Stuart Fancey said:
“Scottish universities’ research is making a real difference to the lives of people in a number of developing nations. SFC is pleased to partner with BEIS and these universities to help GCRF funding support research that responds to needs and opportunities in those countries, contributing to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
For more information see Global Challenges Research Funding allocations FY 2020-21 announcement.
The latest analysis from the university admission service, UCAS, shows an 8% increase in applicants being given a place at a Scottish university.
The 48,820 applicants now starting a full-time undergraduate degree course represent the highest number since 2011, an increase of 3,700 from this time last year.
According to UCAS, today’s figures – produced just over 5 weeks from SQA results day – provide a reliable indication of the final acceptance figures for the annual university applications cycle. As such, they will be seen as good news for Scottish universities at a time of uncertainty amidst the global coronavirus pandemic.
One effect of the pandemic on 2020 university applications has been the number of applicants being given a place at a relatively late stage in the process. Around 14,000 applicants have been placed since SQA results day on 4 August compared with 10,380 during the same period last year.
Commenting on figures across the whole of the UK, Clare Marchant, UCAS Chief Executive, said:
“As students are starting their new courses across the country, these numbers confirm the enduring appeal and welcome of our outstanding universities and colleges.
“They, along with schools, UCAS, and organisations across the entire education sector, have worked tirelessly in recent months to provide reassurance and flexibility to applicants, and ensure access to the best opportunities possible.”
There was also good news today for students from the most disadvantaged parts of Scotland. The UCAS figures show a 5% increase in applicants from these areas, a development that will be seen as a welcome sign of further progress towards fairer access to higher education.
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has allocated a further £3.6 million of Scottish Government funding to enhance student counselling services in colleges and universities across Scotland.
The allocation is part of a £20 million, four-year investment in mental health counselling for students. Last year saw initial Scottish Government funding of £3.6 million together with an additional £100,000 for SFC to support the set-up of the programme over its first two years. So far, almost 60 new full time equivalent counsellors have been appointed at colleges and universities across Scotland.
The money announced today is for the coming academic year and will provide additional professional counsellors, helping to ensure students can get the right help when and where they need it. Colleges and universities are also being encouraged to take advantage of some of the mental health care innovations which allow students to access support remotely, including online counselling.
The allocation comes as colleges and universities get ready for the beginning of the new academic year, and students prepare to come to terms with the uncertainties created by the pandemic.
Richard Lochhead, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, said:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental and emotional health of many new and returning students. It is vital that every student can access the mental health support they need.
“The funding and guidance announced today for the academic year 2020/21 by the Scottish Funding Council is another significant milestone in delivering our 2018 Programme for Government commitment to more than eighty additional counsellors in further and higher education over four years.”
Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said:
“I am delighted the Scottish Funding Council is funding these vital student counselling services. This can be an anxious time for new and returning students in terms of travel, accommodation, how teaching will work, and their own health as well as the health of friends and family. This funding for student counselling services aims to support good mental health and wellbeing at this particularly difficult time.”
Institutions such as Forth Valley College took advantage of the extra money in 2019-20 to increase the availability of their counselling services. At Forth Valley College, three new support counsellors were recruited at the end of April, which also allowed the College to provide counselling services at all three of its campuses.
Kenny MacInnes Vice Principal Learning and Student Experience at Forth Valley College, said:“The extra funding we received earlier this year, allowed us to offer new counselling provision which was a very welcome addition to the services provided by our Student Services and the wider Equalities, Inclusion and Learning Services team.
“Our counselling provision has always been very heavily requested and due to increased demand our counselling service, at times, has been put under significant pressure, resulting in extended waiting times and delays in appointments.
“This initiative has allowed us to expand the service and, create one that is flexible to our students’ needs and I am sure the new available funding will help more colleges and universities to do the same.”
In its guidance for the use of the new money, SFC has emphasised the need for a flexible approach to providing counselling which reflects the diversity of the student population and the unpredictable nature of the coronavirus pandemic.