Written Question · S1W-31719 · Session 1
What action has been taken to increase the proportion of students in higher education that are from under-represented, disadvantaged groups…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to increase the proportion of students in higher education that are from under-represented, disadvantaged groups and areas in (a) Scotland and (b) the Renfrewshire Council area in each year since 1997.
The answer
There has been a wide range of measures introduced by the Executive since 1997 to increase the proportion of students in higher education (HE) from under-represented, disadvantaged groups and areas. These include:Funding an additional 2,800 full-time equivalent places in higher education institutions
Waiving fees for all eligible full-time Scottish students at Scottish institutions
Providing bursaries of up to £2,000 p.a for young full-time students from low income families
A Wider Access Bursary Fund for mature full-time students
Fee waiver for unemployed or low income student on part-time courses
Access to loans for part-time students
Child care support
Piloting of Education Maintenance Allowances designed to encourage more young people from low income households to remain in full-time education which are now being rolled out across Scotland
Introduction of a widening access premium for institutions to help support students from non-traditional backgrounds
Introduction of a disability premium for institutions to help support students with disabilities
Introduction of New Access Partnerships to encourage institutions to develop innovative partnerships with the private sector to widen participation
Support for developments to provide higher education in rural communities such as the designation of UHI Millennium Institute and the collaboration at Crichton Campus.
In addition to these measures, young people in the Renfrewshire Council area, along with other schools in the West of Scotland, also benefit from the Greater Opportunities of Access and Learning with Schools (GOALS) project which provides a spectrum of opportunity for school pupils, aged 10 to 18, to learn about and become familiar with higher education. Targeted at schools with low rates of progression to HE and involving all the higher education institutions in the West of Scotland, the project aims to stimulate pupils towards achievement at school and ultimately, to progress to higher education and a rewarding career.
Waiving fees for all eligible full-time Scottish students at Scottish institutions
Providing bursaries of up to £2,000 p.a for young full-time students from low income families
A Wider Access Bursary Fund for mature full-time students
Fee waiver for unemployed or low income student on part-time courses
Access to loans for part-time students
Child care support
Piloting of Education Maintenance Allowances designed to encourage more young people from low income households to remain in full-time education which are now being rolled out across Scotland
Introduction of a widening access premium for institutions to help support students from non-traditional backgrounds
Introduction of a disability premium for institutions to help support students with disabilities
Introduction of New Access Partnerships to encourage institutions to develop innovative partnerships with the private sector to widen participation
Support for developments to provide higher education in rural communities such as the designation of UHI Millennium Institute and the collaboration at Crichton Campus.
In addition to these measures, young people in the Renfrewshire Council area, along with other schools in the West of Scotland, also benefit from the Greater Opportunities of Access and Learning with Schools (GOALS) project which provides a spectrum of opportunity for school pupils, aged 10 to 18, to learn about and become familiar with higher education. Targeted at schools with low rates of progression to HE and involving all the higher education institutions in the West of Scotland, the project aims to stimulate pupils towards achievement at school and ultimately, to progress to higher education and a rewarding career.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-31719 by reference.