Bid to save money by cutting out college year

MORE students will be encouraged to ditch the first year of a four-year degree course in a cost-cutting measure being proposed by all three Scottish parties who oppose the introduction of tuition fees.

The SNP, Labour and the Scottish Lib Dems are all examining plans to push students straight into the second year of a degree if they are deemed capable. Likely candidates are those with HND qualifications are pupils with outstanding Higher qualifications.

In skipping what has become known as the "wasted year", the aim would be to cut costs for both students and the government.

The plans come after Labour and the Lib Dems confirmed last week they would be opposing any form of tuition fee for graduates. The SNP is expected to do likewise next week when Education Secretary Michael Russell makes a statement on the government's plans for university funding.

In his conference speech on Friday, Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott said he backed "three-year degrees where the subjects frankly don't justify four."

An SNP source added yesterday: "The question being raised is about more flexibility. How many HND students coming out of college are getting entry into second or third year for example?"

And a Labour source said: "The system is relatively inflexible at present. There are relatively few three-year courses."

None of the parties said they were planning to scrap the four-year degree in its entirety, however. The Conservatives said last night that only some form of graduate contribution would allow Scottish universities to compete and prosper in the international market place.