Monday October 26th 2026
Edinburgh College Sighthill Campus
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Edinburgh College has secured funding to explore closer collaboration with Forth Valley College, with a business case set to examine how stronger links could benefit students, staff and employers.
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has approved funding for the two institutions to assess the potential for greater joint working, following an announcement in June that their boards had agreed to explore the idea.
The work will examine existing areas of collaboration and identify opportunities to strengthen them further, potentially including sharing expertise and aligning activities in key growth sectors.
However, both colleges have stressed that their individual identities, strengths and local connections would be recognised throughout the process.
Edinburgh College principal Audrey Cumberford welcomed the funding, saying it recognised the potential of the project and the institutions’ ambitions.
She said there was a clear appetite, including from the Scottish Government, to explore reform across the college sector and ensure institutions were prepared for the future.
Ms Cumberford added that she looked forward to continuing discussions with staff, students and stakeholders about the potential benefits of closer collaboration.
Forth Valley College principal Kenny MacInnes said the funding would allow both institutions to assess the opportunities and implications of working more closely together.
He said any future proposals would need to be supported by robust evidence and demonstrate clear benefits for learners, staff, employers and the communities served by the colleges.
Tiffany Ritchie, director of finance at the Scottish Funding Council, said collaboration was a defining feature of Scottish tertiary education.
She said: “A willingness and ability to collaborate is one of the defining features of Scottish tertiary education.
“I’m delighted that as part of the Public Service Reform initiatives, we are supporting Forth Valley and Edinburgh colleges to explore further areas for joint working and in a way that involves their entire college communities.
“I look forward to the outcome of this exploratory work and to seeing the benefits that could materialise from it.”
The business case is expected to be completed in spring 2027, when both college boards will consider the findings and decide whether to take further steps towards closer collaboration.
Both institutions have emphasised that no decisions have been made about future partnership arrangements, and that staff and student engagement will be central to the process.
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