Scottish Labour has called on the SNP and other opposition parties to support its proposal to extend council tax exemptions to cover students who do degree courses that get them into university through college.

Students doing so-called two-plus-two degrees, spending their first two years at college doing an HND and final two years at university, are finding themselves having to pay council tax in the period between which they leave college and matriculate for university. The degrees, often offered through a partnership between a local college and university, are seen as an innovative approach to efforts to widen access to university.

It is estimated that up to 2700 students in Scotland could be helped by these plans that would cost a maximum £780,000.

The call comes as the Association of Scotland's Colleges recently promoted articulation routes to university through college, such as two plus two degrees, as a possible way to help those competing for places at university in a record year for applications.

Shadow Minister for Higher and Further Education, Claire Baker said:

"It is unfair that students undertaking two-plus two degrees have to pay Council Tax at any point during their degree. We therefore think that these students should be treated the same as all other students and be exempt from Council Tax.

"Two plus two degrees are a great tool to widen access to university. They help a wide range of people from those who do not have the qualifications to get directly into university to those who wish to develop their confidence to get a degree.

"For a number of those undertaking these courses, having to pay council tax for a period after their first two years at college affects their ability to support themselves in the vital few months when they progress to university. These are people who would benefit greatly from the opportunities of a university education and we need to help them make the most of it.

"I hope that the SNP and other parties will support us in our proposals to iron out this problem that would contribute to efforts to widen access to university education in Scotland."

1 March 2010