Higher Education (Hansard, 18 June 1998)

§ Mr. Welsh
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy on the future of the four-year honours degree at Scottish universities. [46296]

§ Mr. Wilson
It will continue to be for higher education providers to determine the length of course required for students to attain the standard of academic achievement appropriate to the award of an Honours degree. The Government support educationally worthwhile change and, in the context of lifeline learning and the proposed Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework, would expect institutions to make decisions on course length, and suitable entry/exit points, which reflect both the learning needs and prior attainment level of students, the changing requirements of employers and the need to maintain rigorous academic standards.

§ Mr. Welsh
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he intends to monitor the effects of(a) the abolition of grants, (b) the introduction of tuition fees and (c) the decision not to waive fourth-year tuition fees for English, Welsh and Northern Irish students, on the (i) age, (ii) gender, (iii) domicile, (iv) ethnicity, (v) socio-economic background and (iv) total number of students at Scottish institutions. [46295]

§ Mr. Wilson
The Scottish Office regularly receives and publishes information on Scottish student award holders and on all students studying in Scottish higher education, including information on age, gender, domicile and total number of students. The Government are currently considering what further information can be collected and made available on ethnicity and socio-economic background.
In addition, in response to the Garrick Report, the Government have asked the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to provide advice on issues arising for higher education in Scotland including the implementation of the reforms, in consultation with all those who have an interest in education. The Scottish Office has also asked SHEFC to undertake a survey of access by different socio-economic groups in Scotland and to work with partners in developing a national strategy to widen access.