Originally published on January 13th, 2009

Part-time students could soon be entitled to extra funding after the Scottish Government announced a programme of new financial benefits, which is extended to postgraduates for the first time. 

Funding that is currently limited to those on full postgraduate courses will now be available to part-time students as part of a pilot scheme, with an estimated 150 students to benefit during 2009-10.
Part-time undergraduate students will also benefit from an expansion of the ILA500 scheme that was introduced last September, which offers grants of up to £500. 

It is proposed that these funds will now be made available across a much wider spectrum of courses.

The scheme is part of a strategy to help soften the impact of the current economic downturn for those in higher education. 

Funding will be given to those studying in the Scottish Government’s economic priority sectors, which include energy, financial and business services, creative industries and education.

Unveiling the plans, Fiona Hyslop MSP, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education, stated, “The Scottish Government recognises the financial pressures faced by learners during the current economic climate.”
She added that the new measures would “benefit part-time students at all levels.” The proposals cover only Scottish students studying in Scotland.

The current recession is predicted to hit part-time postgraduate studies as businesses are expected to cut back on further training of employees in education. 

However there has been a noted upsurge in people enrolling in part-time postgraduate studies, financed personally in order to enhance their chances in an increasingly bleak employment market.

The total proportion of part-time students at the University of Edinburgh is around 15 percent, with 37 percent of all postgraduates at the University studying part-time. 

Robert Lawrie, head of the University’s Scholarships and Student Finance Department, told Student: “Any additional options of funding, especially during these difficult financial times is very welcome.” 
He added: “We look forward to learning more about the pilot scheme, which I very much hope will include Edinburgh University.”

The full details of the pilot plans will be announced over the coming weeks.