This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Further and Higher Education Bill passed
20/04/2005
The Parliament today approved the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Bill whose primary aim is to merge the two separate funding councils for colleges and universities.
Lifelong Learning Minister Jim Wallace welcomed the prospect of greater collaboration between institutions, easier movement between sectors by students and increased benefits for Scotland's economy and society.
The Bill will give students access to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, and recognises the needs of students in legislation for the first time. Academic freedom will be extended to colleges, and also to staff in further and higher education.
Powers in the Bill will also allow Ministers, with the approval of Parliament, to set higher fee levels in order to protect the interests of Scottish students.
With the introduction of higher top up fees in the rest of the UK driving an increase in demand for places in Scottish universities, Scottish Ministers may need to act to make sure that Scottish students are not disadvantaged. Eligible students ordinarily resident in Scotland will continue to have their fees paid for them.
In subjects where there is particularly high demand, the Bill also gives Ministers powers, again with the approval of Parliament, to set a different fee level for certain subjects.
Ministers are currently consulting on the possibility of using this power for medicine. Such decisions will be made on the basis of robust evidence and extensive consultation.
Mr Wallace said:
"This is a major step forward in delivering a more effective and efficient tertiary education system - one which provides the very best for students, staff and institutions.
"One funding body will make decisions for both sectors - encouraging collaboration between institutions, making movement between sectors easier for learners, and ensuring that coherent decisions will be made to maximise the benefit gained from record levels of investment. Our spending on colleges and universities is set to top £1.6 billion by 2007/08. This reflects Ministers' belief that our colleges and universities are critical in meeting Scotland's economic and social needs.
"The other benefits of the legislation are also significant. These include steps to help secure the charitable status of colleges, to protect academic freedom, and to ensure a 'joined-up' approach between the new Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council and other public bodies. It will also recognise the needs of students in legislation for the first time and give them access to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.
"I believe this is a strong piece of legislation which will serve those in both sectors well over the coming years."
On fees, the Minister said:
"The provisions on fees are just one part of this Bill, but I recognise this is an important, and sometimes emotive, issue. Eligible students domiciled in Scotland will continue to have their fees paid and I announced in January a generous increase and extension of bursary provision.
"However, the introduction of variable top up fees in the rest of the United Kingdom has created a situation which requires a response. Doing nothing is not an option. Recent figures suggest that demand for places from the rest of the UK are already increasing in anticipation of variable top up fees. To ensure that Scottish-domiciled students continue to have fair access to study in Scottish universities, Scottish Ministers have had to act.
"In medicine, the situation is even more acute. However, I believe the detailed measures set out in our recent consultation paper on fees are an appropriate response to a very real problem."
The Executive's consultation paper on fees was published on 5 April. The consultation period ends on May 30.