Parliament approves Further Education Bill

Further and Higher Education Bill to be submitted for Royal Assent

News, 21 April 2005

The Scottish Parliament has passed the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Bill, the primary aim of which is to merge the two separate funding councils for colleges and universities.

The bill gives students access to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, and recognises their needs in legislation. Academic freedom is extended to colleges, and also to staff in further and higher education.

With the introduction of higher top up fees in the rest of the UK driving an increase in demand for places in Scottish universities, Ministers will be able, with the approval of the Parliament, to set higher fee levels for some students in order to make sure that Scottish students are not disadvantaged. The power may also be exercised in subjects where there is a particularly high demand, such as medicine. Eligible students ordinarily resident in Scotland will continue to have their fees paid for them.

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.

On fees, the Minister said:

"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 is 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."

The Executive's consultation paper on general tuition fees and special measures in relation to medicine was published on 5 April. The consultation period ends on May 30.