Higher education institutions

Universities

Scotland has 15 universities. Its first university, St Andrews, was founded in 1411.

By 1582, the country had four universities, with Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh joining St Andrews.

The newest institution is the UHI Millennium Institute, based at 15 institutions across the Highlands & Islands. It was founded in 2001.

Colleges

In Scotland, further education is defined as education and training which takes place after the school leaving age of 16.

Scotland has more than 43 colleges of further education (FE colleges), which vary considerably in size.

They all offer highly flexible platforms for lifelong learning, catering for both young people and adults and offering academic, vocational and professional qualifications in most subjects from foundation often to degree level.

Both full-time and part-time students are catered for, with part-time students being in the majority. Standards of teaching are high and well regarded by students, employers and awarding bodies.

FE colleges have strong academic links with universities.

Several colleges offer their own degrees, in fact 27% of students undertaking degree courses in Scotland do so in FE colleges.

Some colleges have accreditation agreements with universities. These allow students with HNC or HND qualifications to access university at second or even third year. Colleges also offer foundation or access courses, providing the specialist subjects required for a student to gain a place at university.

A range of different teaching and learning techniques are used in colleges, for example, group work, practical activity and project work.

More and more learning is about new technology and simulated work environments, and combines theory with practical work experience. This allows students to develop the skills and experience employers are seeking.

Assessment is carried out internally throughout the course with strict external quality control.