Question reference: S6W-06940
- Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 1 March 2022
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Current status: Answered by Clare Haughey on 14 March 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to remove any financial obstacles that may be affecting people applying for Masters level courses in social work at Scottish universities.
Answer
The SSSC has been administering Postgraduate Bursaries on behalf of Scottish Government since 2004. Funding of £2,655m each year is provided to support up to 300 students undertake the postgraduate course in social work.
A review of the scheme was undertaken by SSSC in 2021 to widen access to eligible postgraduate students. In response to Covid -19 Scottish Government approved a Hardship Fund for postgraduate social work students in May 2020. The fund remains in place.
As part of the 2021 Manifesto Commitments, the Scottish Government committed to undertake a review into the funding provision for postgraduate students. The review will be led by SAAS and areas for exploration are in the early development stages and therefore I cannot confirm at this stage what courses will be considered as part of the review.