Further education
Scotland's 43 further education colleges offer courses to develop skills and knowledge for work, continued study or general interest.
Students can choose from a wide variety courses – academic and vocational. There’s also flexibility in how they study, including full-time, day release, evening, block release or open learning basis.
Entrance requirements vary but most courses require some previous education qualifications. However, for people with very little previous educational attainment, special programmes are available together with extended learning support arrangements.
Courses are available at a range of levels including:
- National Certificate modules or clusters of modules
- General Scottish Vocational Qualifications
- National Qualifications including project-based national courses and cluster units
- Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND)
- Degrees.
You can find out more about the qualifications on offer by visiting the Scottish Qualifications Authority website, or calling 0141 242 2214.
Colleges in Scotland
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) website and the Association of Scotland's Colleges website provide information on colleges throughout Scotland, including links to college websites.
Financial help
All full-time students resident in Scotland – including EU resident students – pay no tuition fees. Some part-time students may have their fees waived. To get your fees paid and for financial assistance for any course at HNC level or above, you will need to apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
Colleges also give financial help to students on certain courses. This can help towards maintenance costs, travel and study expenses. To find out more, contact the college and visit the funding for learners' website.
The Education Maintenance Allowances scheme helps eligible 16-19 students with a household income of less than £30,000 a year.
