Free university 'for all'

Isn't it great? Everyone in Scotland can go and get a degree without the burden of having to pay. What was once a privilege is now a right and the barriers of access to university have come crumbling down. What started under the Labour/Lib Dem administration with the graduate endownment fee has been finished by the SNP with its abolition. Everyone is now able to attend university at no cost to the student. Everyone. Everyone. Everyone?

Yes, make sure you're sitting down as this might be quite surprising.

I was with friends for dinner last night and in and around many topics of conversation (chiefly The Apprentice) I was asked to (ambushed into) taking part in a 10k run in Glasgow. Before I go on, I should say that I find running as interesting as watching paint dry. And bland brown paint at that. But when I heard the plan was to run as a team and help push my friend's colleague's daughter who has cerebral palsy I couldn't help but say yes. (Although it'll no doubt be a fun day out, I fully admit that this was a grudging acceptance and it did not come with a gushing zeal to take part. Seriously, jogging?)

Anyway, I asked what the money is to be raised for, out of genuine interest, not as some sort of condition on my taking part. It turns out the girl needs to raise £150,000 in order to attend university. There is a specialist university in England for those with special needs. No university in Scotland has the capability to take on students with cerebral palsy.

I was confused.

I, of course, raised the point that Scottish people were able to attend university for free. Universal access for all and all that. I even naively thought I was about to save this family £150k. Well, it turns out that there is a slight loophole. Campaigns aimed at Labour and the Lib Dems to improve access for disabled students apparently fell on deaf ears; campaigners have now regrouped and are targetting the SNP, thus far with little success.

Basically,

If you're English and have special needs, then you can go to university for free.

If you're English and don't have special needs, then you can go to university but have to pay.

If you're Scottish and don't have special needs, then you can go to university for free.

And, if you're Scottish and have special needs, then you have to pay.

As clear as mud hey!?

Of course this is one of many anomalies that have arisen from a devolved Scotland sitting within a United Kingdom.

But the next time anyone in the SNP boast of free university education for all, it may well be worth reminding them of the forgotten minority.



PS I believe there are some people who find the phrase "special needs" a little bit insulting or not PC. I racked my brains for a better/the correct term with no joy. My mother worked as a teacher with under-5s who had autism and her job title was Special Needs teacher so it's stuck since then. My point is, no offence is intended if you think I've used the 'wrong' phrase.