30 May 2026
Scottish college student outcomes focus on success and progression
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has published its latest College Student Outcomes statistics, providing an overview of learner outcomes across Scotland’s college sector for 2024-25.
The publication highlights the key role colleges continue to play in supporting learners into further study, training and employment, while delivering skills that support Scotland’s economy and communities. The data also reflects the challenges facing the sector amid ongoing financial pressures and changing patterns of learner participation.
Colleges Scotland noted that student headcount and enrolments declined during 2024/25, partly linked to fewer working-age learners accessing upskilling and reskilling opportunities. However, participation among 18-to-19-year-olds continued to increase, underlining the growing importance of colleges as a pathway into skilled employment and careers.
The wider college sector continues to represent a major national investment in skills and education. In 2024/25, Scotland’s colleges received £632.3 million in Scottish Funding Council revenue funding, including £123 million in student support funding, alongside £84.9 million in capital investment.
The SFC publication highlights the importance of improving outcomes for learners from all backgrounds, including disabled and care-experienced students. The statistics support ongoing work to widen access and improve progression opportunities.
Colleges also continue to play a key role in supporting Scotland’s employability ambitions and economic growth, with 95.7% of school leavers entering a positive destination this year.
The report comes amid ongoing discussion around investment in post-school education and skills, with sector organisations continuing to call for sustained funding for colleges.
Overall, the publication highlights the important role colleges play in supporting learners, skills development and Scotland’s future workforce.
Read more about college student outcomes.
The publication highlights the key role colleges continue to play in supporting learners into further study, training and employment, while delivering skills that support Scotland’s economy and communities. The data also reflects the challenges facing the sector amid ongoing financial pressures and changing patterns of learner participation.
Colleges Scotland noted that student headcount and enrolments declined during 2024/25, partly linked to fewer working-age learners accessing upskilling and reskilling opportunities. However, participation among 18-to-19-year-olds continued to increase, underlining the growing importance of colleges as a pathway into skilled employment and careers.
The wider college sector continues to represent a major national investment in skills and education. In 2024/25, Scotland’s colleges received £632.3 million in Scottish Funding Council revenue funding, including £123 million in student support funding, alongside £84.9 million in capital investment.
The SFC publication highlights the importance of improving outcomes for learners from all backgrounds, including disabled and care-experienced students. The statistics support ongoing work to widen access and improve progression opportunities.
Colleges also continue to play a key role in supporting Scotland’s employability ambitions and economic growth, with 95.7% of school leavers entering a positive destination this year.
The report comes amid ongoing discussion around investment in post-school education and skills, with sector organisations continuing to call for sustained funding for colleges.
Overall, the publication highlights the important role colleges play in supporting learners, skills development and Scotland’s future workforce.
Read more about college student outcomes.
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