As a government support agency for the colleges in Scotland, we are pleased to promote the expertise and professional knowledge of our member colleges to potential overseas partners.
We are a not for profit central resource enabling individual Scottish colleges to operate more effectively and collaboratively in international markets by increasing capacity, improving clarity, coherence and quality of delivery for the benefit of clients.
We have the support of Scottish Government, Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Development International, and Scottish Enterprise as well as our colleges.
Some quick facts:
Our colleges support in excess of 500,000 students annually.
We employ over 22,000 staff in Scotland.
Coatbridge College is the oldest in Scotland, established in 1865.
Scotland has had compulsory education since 1872.
The Scottish Government through the Scottish Funding Council has provided substantial investment in the infrastructure, buildings and facilities in our colleges.
The Scottish Government has agreed funds for the colleges totaling: £581m 2010/11.
Our colleges all adhere to the same quality standards for the delivery and management of their colleges, though Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIe).
Colleges are all autonomous, individual businesses sponsored in the main by the Scottish Government and through successful commercial contracts.
Currently there are almost 6,000 non EU/UK students in our colleges from 117 countries.
22% of college activity is ‘higher education’ and 78% ‘further education’.
Scotland is proud of its one framework for qualifications under the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework, which has been adopted and replicated worldwide.
Colleges deliver qualifications under the auspice of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), City & Guilds, Chartered Institute of Management, and many globally recognised professional industry standards.
Scotland's Colleges - Our Members Booklet (1.83 MB) - reference booklet to assist you to understand our colleges and the offering we can bring through their curriculum portfolios, qualified staff and business development expertise.
Portugese Overview Statement (
