Glasgow ‘super college’ secures £200m funding deal

WORK is set to begin on a £200 million “super college” campus in Glasgow after funding was provided by the Scottish Government.

The campus, at Cathedral Street, will bring together more than 40,000 students studying at the City of Glasgow College, which was formed last year following the merger of the Central, Metropolitan and Nautical colleges.

News of the funding came as college bosses warned they face losing £50m a year and their charitable status if ministers interfere in decision making.

In its submission to a review of college governance, umbrella group Scotland’s Colleges said the re-introduction of “ministerial direction” was unnecessary.

Graham Johnstone, chairman of Scotland’s College’s Chairs’ Congress, said: “While lines of accountability to government may be enhanced, we would be concerned if the power of ministerial direction were to be re-introduced, not least because we do not believe it is necessary, but also because it would potentially threaten charitable status. A loss to charitable status could result in further losses to college budgets of more than £50m a year”.

Education secretary Mike Russell said: “The Scottish Government is consulting on wide-ranging plans to reform post-16 education, including encouraging greater collaboration and regional models of funding for colleges. Glasgow is ahead of the game and the new City of Glasgow College is providing benefits for staff, students and the local economy.

“Planning for the new buildings has been in the pipeline since three colleges merged last year and I am very pleased to be able to commit to providing up to £193m from the Scottish Funding Council.”