Blurring the boundaries or creating diversity? The contribution of the further education colleges to higher education in Scotland

Abstract

This article outlines the important contribution that further education (FE) colleges make towards higher education (HE) in Scotland, and the ways in which this is a distinctive contribution, differing from that provided by the higher education institutions (HEIs). However, it also explores the ways in which the boundaries between FE colleges and HEIs are being blurred. This discussion is presented in the context of a wider process of differentiation and stratification in HE in Scotland, which has been associated with the emergence of a mass system of HE. A number of sub‐sectors can now be identified which are making different types of contributions to HE provision. The FE colleges can be seen as one of these sub‐sectors. The article also provides a brief discussion of recent developments at the level of national policy and strategy designed to create a more coherent and integrated system of tertiary education in Scotland.

Notes

1. The UHI Millennium Institute is the embryonic University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), which it is hoped will be designated as a university within the next few years. It is itself an interesting example of blurring of boundaries between FE and HE in that the institution is made up of 13 FE colleges, and some smaller specialist institutions, whose HE level work now comes under the auspices of The UHI Millennium Institute while the FE level, or non‐advanced, work is still under the auspices of each college. Degrees are built on the higher national certificates or diplomas (HNC/Ds) that the colleges offer, and are at present validated by the Open University Validation Service.

2. Scottish Enterprise is the agency responsible for economic development and training in Scotland. It operates through a network of local enterprise companies (LECs).