| Academic Year | Continuing College Study | Sector Leaver | Confirmed Destination | Unconfirmed Destination | All Qualifiers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 26,120 | 18,060 | 44,185 | 6,500 | 50,680 |
| 2016-17 | 25,715 | 19,000 | 44,715 | 5,580 | 50,300 |
| 2017-18 | 26,205 | 19,315 | 45,520 | 5,290 | 50,810 |
| 2018-19 | 25,805 | 17,485 | 43,290 | 5,335 | 48,625 |
| 2019-20 | 24,660 | 16,335 | 40,995 | 4,915 | 45,910 |
| 2020-21 | 23,080 | 16,655 | 39,730 | 5,840 | 45,570 |
| 2021-22 | 20,510 | 15,470 | 35,975 | 4,635 | 40,610 |
| 2022-23 | 22,200 | 14,300 | 36,505 | 4,495 | 41,000 |
| 2023-24 | 21,505 | 12,565 | 34,070 | 6,360 | 40,430 |
This is an Official Statistics publication. All Official Statistics should comply with the UK Statistics Authority’s Code of Practice for Statistics, which promotes the production and dissemination of Official Statistics that inform decision-making. Find out more about the Code of Practice for Statistics at the UK Statistics Authority’s website.
Overview
College Leaver Destinations
Qualifiers
Figure 1: Full-Time Qualifiers 2015-16 to 2023-24 from Scotland’s Colleges
| Academic Year | Continuing College Study (%) | Sector Leaver (%) | Confirmed Destination (%) | Unconfirmed Destination (%) | All Qualifiers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 59.1 | 40.9 | 87.2 | 12.8 | 50,680 |
| 2016-17 | 57.5 | 42.5 | 88.9 | 11.1 | 50,300 |
| 2017-18 | 57.6 | 42.4 | 89.6 | 10.4 | 50,810 |
| 2018-19 | 59.6 | 40.4 | 89.0 | 11.0 | 48,625 |
| 2019-20 | 60.2 | 39.8 | 89.3 | 10.7 | 45,910 |
| 2020-21 | 58.1 | 41.9 | 87.2 | 12.8 | 45,570 |
| 2021-22 | 57.0 | 43.0 | 88.6 | 11.4 | 40,610 |
| 2022-23 | 60.8 | 39.2 | 89.0 | 11.0 | 41,000 |
| 2023-24 | 63.1 | 36.9 | 84.3 | 15.7 | 40,430 |
| Percentages for those Continuing College Study and Sector Leavers are calculated from those with a confirmed destination. | |||||
Successful qualifiers are those who have successfully completed a full-time course and either left the college sector or are remaining at college to complete a subsequent qualification. The total number of full-time qualifiers in 2023-24 decreased by 570 compared with the previous session. This is the smallest number of qualifiers across the past nine sessions. Of those qualifiers, the number with a confirmed destination decreased to 84.3%, a 4.7pp change when compared to the previous session. Further information about confirmed destinations can be found in the annex document.
Fewer full-time qualifiers left the college sector in the current session. Of the successful qualifiers with a confirmed destination, the proportion who remained in college increased from the previous session to 63.1%, a 2.3pp change, while the number of Sector Leavers decreased from the previous session to 36.9% compared to 39.2%. The proportion of qualifiers who have chosen to continue college study is the highest seen across the last nine sessions. Colleges reported that industrial action in the sector meant that some learners were unable to complete their programmes in 2023-24. Those learners were offered the opportunity to complete this learning in 2024-25, which would have increased the numbers of learners reported as continuing their college studies.
Figure 2: Full-Time Qualifiers 2023-24 from Scotland’s Colleges by SCQF Level
| SCQF Level | Continuing College Study | Sector Leaver | Confirmed Destination | Unconfirmed Destination | All Qualifiers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCQF 1-6 | 17,760 | 6,105 | 23,865 | 3,480 | 27,345 |
| SCQF 7+ | 3,745 | 6,460 | 10,205 | 2,885 | 13,085 |
| Total | 21,505 | 12,565 | 34,070 | 6,360 | 40,430 |
| SCQF Level | Continuing College Study (%) | Sector Leaver (%) | Confirmed Destination (%) | Unconfirmed Destination (%) | All Qualifiers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCQF 1-6 | 74.4 | 25.6 | 87.3 | 12.7 | 27,345 |
| SCQF 7+ | 36.7 | 63.3 | 78.0 | 22.0 | 13,085 |
| Total | 63.1 | 36.9 | 84.3 | 15.7 | 40,430 |
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) is the qualifications framework for Scotland. This framework has 12 levels, ranging from basic introductory skills (level 1) to doctoral degrees (level 12). Each level signifies the complexity of the learning outcomes1.
There were 240 fewer qualifiers at SCQF levels 1-6 and 330 fewer qualifiers at SCQF levels 7+ when compared to the previous session. The majority of SCQF 1-6 qualifiers stayed on at college (74.4%) while only 36.7% at SCQF 7+ remained. At SCQF 1-6 Sector Leavers accounted for 25.6% of qualifiers, while at SCQF 7+ the proportion was 63.3%.
Sector Leavers
Figure 3: Sector Leaver 2015-16 to 2023-24 Comparison
| Academic Year | FE to University | HE to University | FE/HE into work | Positive Destination | Unemployed | Unavailable for work | Other Destination | All Qualifiers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 1,025 | 6,145 | 8,645 | 15,815 | 1,500 | 745 | 2,245 | 18,060 |
| 2016-17 | 1,250 | 6,580 | 8,940 | 16,775 | 1,475 | 750 | 2,225 | 19,000 |
| 2017-18 | 1,265 | 6,415 | 9,520 | 17,200 | 1,305 | 810 | 2,115 | 19,315 |
| 2018-19 | 1,160 | 5,815 | 8,375 | 15,350 | 1,300 | 835 | 2,130 | 17,485 |
| 2019-20 | 1,660 | 5,990 | 6,130 | 13,780 | 1,585 | 970 | 2,555 | 16,335 |
| 2020-21 | 1,280 | 5,655 | 8,210 | 15,145 | 835 | 670 | 1,505 | 16,655 |
| 2021-22 | 1,235 | 4,405 | 7,665 | 13,305 | 1,340 | 825 | 2,165 | 15,470 |
| 2022-23 | 1,150 | 4,320 | 6,925 | 12,395 | 1,175 | 730 | 1,905 | 14,300 |
| 2023-24 | 860 | 4,085 | 5,790 | 10,730 | 1,175 | 655 | 1,830 | 12,565 |
| Academic Year | FE to University (%) | HE to University (%) | FE/HE into work (%) | Positive Destination (%) | Unemployed (%) | Unavailable for work (%) | Other Destination (%) | All Qualifiers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 5.7 | 34.0 | 47.9 | 87.6 | 8.3 | 4.1 | 12.4 | 18,060 |
| 2016-17 | 6.6 | 34.6 | 47.1 | 88.3 | 7.8 | 4.0 | 11.7 | 19,000 |
| 2017-18 | 6.6 | 33.2 | 49.3 | 89.1 | 6.8 | 4.2 | 10.9 | 19,315 |
| 2018-19 | 6.6 | 33.3 | 47.9 | 87.8 | 7.4 | 4.8 | 12.2 | 17,485 |
| 2019-20 | 10.2 | 36.7 | 37.5 | 84.4 | 9.7 | 5.9 | 15.6 | 16,335 |
| 2020-21 | 7.7 | 34.0 | 49.3 | 91.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 16,655 |
| 2021-22 | 8.0 | 28.5 | 49.6 | 86.0 | 8.7 | 5.3 | 14.0 | 15,470 |
| 2022-23 | 8.0 | 30.2 | 48.4 | 86.7 | 8.2 | 5.1 | 13.3 | 14,300 |
| 2023-24 | 6.8 | 32.5 | 46.1 | 85.4 | 9.4 | 5.2 | 14.6 | 12,565 |
The number of Sector Leavers with a confirmed destination decreased year-on-year and is now the lowest across the last nine sessions (12,565). This could be due to a reduction in the percentage of full-time further education (FE) and higher education (HE) students who successfully completed their course between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic year, as shown in the College Student Outcomes publication2 . As noted in paragraph 2, this is also likely in part due to learners who were unable to complete their programmes in 2023-24 due to industrial action. The proportion of Sector Leavers with a positive destination has slightly decreased compared with 2022-23. This decrease in positive destinations is driven by a decrease in the number of FE students moving onto university and those entering employment.
Universities play a vital role in offering opportunities for learners post-college. As shown in Figure 3, 6.8% of Sector Leavers qualifying at FE level (SCQF 1-6) went on to university and 32.5% of Sector Leavers from HE level study moved on to university in the latest session. The FE entry to university decreased 1.2pp from 2022-23 while the HE entry to university increased by 2.3pp. Many college leavers who progressed to university did so via the SWAP access programme3 or defined articulation pathways. Examples of some articulation pathways can be found on university websites, with more information about the articulation of students from college to university in the Report on Widening Access4.
Figure 4: Confirmed Destinations of Sector Leavers 2023-24 by level
| SCQF Level | Enrolled at a HEI | Gained employment | Positive Destination | Unemployed | Unavailable for work | Other Destination | All confirmed destinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCQF 1-6 | 860 | 3,840 | 4,700 | 890 | 515 | 1,405 | 6,105 |
| SCQF 7+ | 4,085 | 1,945 | 6,030 | 285 | 140 | 430 | 6,460 |
| Total | 4,940 | 5,790 | 10,730 | 1,175 | 655 | 1,830 | 12,565 |
| SCQF Level | Enrolled at a HEI (%) | Gained employment (%) | Positive Destination (%) | Unemployed (%) | Unavailable for work (%) | Other Destination (%) | All confirmed destinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCQF 1-6 | 14.1 | 62.9 | 77.0 | 14.6 | 8.4 | 23.0 | 6,105 |
| SCQF 7+ | 63.2 | 30.1 | 93.4 | 4.4 | 2.2 | 6.6 | 6,460 |
| Total | 39.3 | 46.1 | 85.4 | 9.4 | 5.2 | 14.6 | 12,565 |
The destinations by SCQF levels show similar patterns to previous sessions. For SCQF 1-6 leavers, employment was still the most attractive destination, at 62.9% (1.0pp higher than 2022-23). For SCQF 7+ leavers university study was still the most attractive destination, at 63.2% (5.0pp higher than 2022-23). For SCQF 7+ Sector Leavers, the proportion finding employment decreased by 5.9pp to 30.1%. For SCQF 7+, the proportion of unemployment increased from the last session by 0.7pp, while for SCQF 1-6 the proportion increased by 1.5pp.
A greater proportion of Sector Leavers with higher levels of qualifications tend to find positive destinations compared to those with lower levels of qualifications, with SCQF 1-6 averaging 77.0% compared to 93.4% at SCQF 7+. The vast majority of SCQF 1-6 qualifiers stay in college for further study, at 74.4% (17,760/23,865). This continued college study is a positive outcome for those at the lower SCQF levels; however, this outcome is excluded here since the analysis focuses on those who leave the college sector.
Figure 5: Confirmed Destinations of Sector Leavers 2023-24 by Sex
| Sex | SQCF Level | Enrolled at a HEI | Gained employment | Positive Destination | Unemployed | Unavailable for work | Other Destination | All confirmed destinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | SCQF 1-6 | 675 | 1,510 | 2,190 | 345 | 310 | 655 | 2,845 |
| Male | SCQF 1-6 | 170 | 2,280 | 2,450 | 520 | 185 | 705 | 3,150 |
| Female | SCQF 7+ | 2,325 | 1,065 | 3,390 | 155 | 90 | 245 | 3,635 |
| Male | SCQF 7+ | 1,685 | 845 | 2,530 | 120 | 50 | 165 | 2,695 |
| Total | Total | 4,855 | 5,700 | 10,555 | 1,140 | 635 | 1,775 | 12,330 |
| Sex | SQCF Level | Enrolled at a HEI (%) | Gained employment (%) | Positive Destination (%) | Unemployed (%) | Unavailable for work (%) | Other Destination (%) | All confirmed destinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Female | SCQF 1-6 | 23.8 | 53.1 | 76.9 | 12.2 | 10.9 | 23.1 | 2,845 |
| Male | SCQF 1-6 | 5.4 | 72.3 | 77.7 | 16.4 | 5.9 | 22.3 | 3,150 |
| Female | SCQF 7+ | 63.9 | 29.3 | 93.3 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 6.7 | 3,635 |
| Male | SCQF 7+ | 62.5 | 31.3 | 93.8 | 4.4 | 1.8 | 6.2 | 2,695 |
The proportion of female Sector Leavers from SCQF 1-6 courses who entered a positive destination (76.9%) decreased by 1.2pp on the previous session (78.1%), and a higher proportion entered employment (2.0pp increase) rather than continuing their education at a university. Female Sector Leavers from SCQF 7+ courses were more likely than those from SCQF 1-6 courses to enter a positive destination, albeit that there was a 0.7pp decrease from the previous session (94.0%) and were more likely to continue their education at a university (4.0pp increase from the previous session).
In comparison, male Sector Leavers from SCQF 1-6 courses were less likely to enter a positive destination (77.7%, a 1.8pp decrease) and they were more likely to enter employment (0.6pp decrease) instead of continuing studies at a university, albeit that both saw decreases of 0.6pp and 1.3pp respectively. Meanwhile male Sector Leavers from SCQF 7+ courses were more likely than those from SCQF 1-6 courses to enter a positive destination, albeit that there was a 0.7pp decease in 2023-24 and were more likely to continue their studies (6.8pp increase) when compared to the previous session.
Figure 6: Confirmed Destinations of Sector Leavers 2023-24 by Subject Area
| Subject | Enrolled at a HEI (%) | Gained employment (%) | Positive Destination (%) | Unemployed (%) | Unavailable for work (%) | Other Destination (%) | All confirmed destinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arts and Crafts | 28.9 | 39.7 | 68.6 | 21.1 | 10.3 | 31.4 | 195 |
| Business, management and administration | 8.4 | 68.9 | 77.3 | 15.1 | 7.6 | 22.7 | 120 |
| Care | 47.7 | 37.7 | 85.3 | 6.0 | 8.6 | 14.7 | 960 |
| Computing and ICT | 9.6 | 36.8 | 46.5 | 37.7 | 15.8 | 53.5 | 115 |
| Construction | 1.4 | 80.1 | 81.6 | 15.2 | 3.2 | 18.4 | 845 |
| Education and training | 1.2 | 51.2 | 52.5 | 33.8 | 13.8 | 47.5 | 80 |
| Engineering | 0.7 | 88.1 | 88.7 | 8.3 | 2.9 | 11.3 | 1,020 |
| Hairdressing, beauty and complementary therapies | 1.9 | 77.1 | 79.0 | 11.3 | 9.7 | 21.0 | 680 |
| Hospitality and Tourism | 1.8 | 69.3 | 71.1 | 19.4 | 9.5 | 28.9 | 445 |
| Land-based industries | 2.2 | 72.4 | 74.6 | 13.8 | 11.6 | 25.4 | 230 |
| Languages and ESOL | 13.0 | 52.9 | 65.9 | 11.6 | 22.5 | 34.1 | 140 |
| Media | 11.8 | 45.1 | 56.9 | 31.4 | 11.8 | 43.1 | 50 |
| Nautical studies | 0.0 | 96.4 | 96.4 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 110 |
| Performing arts | 8.2 | 46.9 | 55.1 | 30.6 | 14.3 | 44.9 | 50 |
| Science | 59.6 | 32.1 | 91.7 | 4.5 | 3.8 | 8.3 | 155 |
| Social subjects | 46.0 | 29.5 | 75.5 | 15.1 | 9.4 | 24.5 | 300 |
| Special Programmes | 2.1 | 30.1 | 32.2 | 41.8 | 26.0 | 67.8 | 335 |
| Sport and leisure | 4.4 | 71.3 | 75.6 | 19.3 | 5.1 | 24.4 | 275 |
| Total | 14.1 | 62.9 | 77.0 | 14.6 | 8.4 | 23.0 | 6,105 |
| Subject | Enrolled at a HEI (%) | Gained employment (%) | Positive Destination (%) | Unemployed (%) | Unavailable for work (%) | Other Destination (%) | All confirmed destinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arts and Crafts | 72.7 | 16.9 | 89.6 | 6.8 | 3.6 | 10.4 | 585 |
| Business, management and administration | 71.5 | 23.7 | 95.1 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 4.9 | 985 |
| Care | 61.3 | 33.4 | 94.7 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 5.3 | 1,285 |
| Computing and ICT | 74.5 | 16.8 | 91.3 | 7.9 | 0.8 | 8.7 | 505 |
| Construction | 69.2 | 24.5 | 93.7 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 6.3 | 160 |
| Education and training | 16.7 | 72.7 | 89.4 | 3.0 | 7.6 | 10.6 | 65 |
| Engineering | 36.8 | 58.3 | 95.1 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 4.9 | 515 |
| Hairdressing, beauty and complementary therapies | 18.0 | 69.5 | 87.4 | 7.2 | 5.4 | 12.6 | 165 |
| Hospitality and Tourism | 42.8 | 44.9 | 87.7 | 8.0 | 4.3 | 12.3 | 140 |
| Land-based industries | 12.1 | 72.7 | 84.8 | 9.1 | 6.1 | 15.2 | 35 |
| Media | 58.1 | 31.2 | 89.3 | 8.1 | 2.6 | 10.7 | 380 |
| Nautical studies | 0.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 90 |
| Performing arts | 57.0 | 32.1 | 89.1 | 8.6 | 2.3 | 10.9 | 300 |
| Science | 84.0 | 11.4 | 95.4 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 220 |
| Social subjects | 87.2 | 9.7 | 96.8 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 3.2 | 505 |
| Sport and leisure | 70.4 | 25.4 | 95.8 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 4.2 | 520 |
| Total | 63.2 | 30.1 | 93.4 | 4.4 | 2.2 | 6.6 | 6,460 |
- Positive destinations for subject groupings at SCQF 1-6 for Sector Leavers range from 46.5% (Computing and ICT) to 96.4% (Nautical studies)5. At SCQF 7+, the range is 84.8% (Land-based industries) to 100.0% (Nautical studies). A greater proportion of Sector Leavers with higher levels of qualifications tend to find positive destinations compared to those with lower levels of qualifications, with SCQF 1-6 averaging 77.0% compared to 93.4% at SCQF 7+.
Figure 7: Percentage point difference for positive destinations by Subject area between 2022-23 and 2023-24
- In this session for SCQF level 1-6, Business, management and administration (+9.8pp), Nautical studies (+4.7pp), Science (+3.3pp), and Languages and ESOL (+0.2pp). saw an increase in positive destinations. At SCQF level 7+, Land-based industries saw an increase in positive destinations (+23.3pp), along with Social subjects (+0.2pp), and Arts and Crafts (+0.1pp).