APPENDIX 6
CALCULATION OF EXTENDED LEARNING SUPPORT ( ELS) FUNDING IN FURTHER EDUCATION IN SCOTLAND
Regular funding for all students
One student unit of measurement ( SUM) is equal to 40 hours of learning.
There are 18 different subject areas (Science, Art, Computing, Special Programmes, etc) and each has a subject weighting that takes account of the relative cost of delivering activity in these areas.
For example, science has a weight of 0.96 whilst Engineering has a weight of 1.26.
The student's SUMs are multiplied by the subject weight to get a Weighted SUMs ( WSUMs) total. A WSUM in 2006/2007 was worth about £190.
WSUMs are the basis for the vast majority of funding in Scotland's colleges.
Examples of ELS calculations
a) Student 1 is doing a full time course in Science worth 20 SUMs and the student requires extended learning support.
The funding for this student therefore = 20 SUMs X 0.96 (science weight) = 19.2 WSUMs X £190 (cost per WSUM) =£3,648
The student, however, required Extended Learning Support and therefore the college receives additional funding.
The additional funding = 20 SUMs X1.5 ( ELS weight) = 30 WSUMs X£190 (cost per WSUM)= £5,700
The total funding for this student = £3,648 + £5,700 = £9,348.
b) Student 2 is doing a part time Engineering course worth 4 SUMs (160 hours) and requires extended learning support.
The funding for this student = 4 SUMs X1.26 (Engineering weight) = 5.04 WSUMs X£190 (cost per WSUM) = £957.60
The student, however, required Extended Learning Support and therefore the college receives additional funding.
The additional funding = 4 SUMs X 1.5 ( ELS weight) = 6 WSUMs X £190 (cost per WSUM)= £1,140
The total funding for this student = £957.60 + £1,140 = £2,097.60.