After nearly four decades walking the halls of Edinburgh College as a student, it is not surprising that Ada Pagan thinks of it as “her college”.

With a total of 78 qualifications to her name - 55 of them at Edinburgh or one of the three colleges that preceded it - she knows the workings of the institution inside out. In the corridors, staff address her by name.

But the changes that have hit colleges as they deal with the aftermath of mergers and ongoing financial challenges leave her fearing for the future of the sector.

The 72-year-old, who has been nominated for a Scottish Qualifications Authority Star Award for Lifelong Learning, told TESS: “I am very concerned. I am like a wise old owl, keeping my eyes open. If everyone is cutting courses, that makes fewer places both for young and old people across Scotland.”

And students like Ms Pagan may become a rare breed. As an Audit Scotland report from August notes, students aged over 25 years experienced the largest reduction in numbers of all age groups, 51 per cent, between 2007-08 and 2014-15.

The number of part-time students aged over 25 years fell by 54 per cent between 2007-08 and 2014-15, from 179,685 to 82,402.

‘If everyone is cutting courses, that makes fewer places for both old and young people’

The difference is noticeable, according to Ms Pagan, who is currently studying advanced criminology.

“It is very different now,” she said. “College lecturers are not being replaced and subjects are going down the drain. I assume these are courses that are less profitable, but so many young people who are not able to get employment are coming to the college to build their CV.

“The courses that have gone were super courses, and we have to make sure there are enough to help people into employment.”

She also believes the merger that created Edinburgh College has had an impact on accessibility: “We used to have economics courses, for example, at all three colleges. Now, if you are trying to get a good portfolio, you could be dashing all over the place.”

Over the years, she has built strong friendships with many staff, and argues their morale has been affected, with many leaving.

“I think some of them, if they can cope with whatever package they are given, they take it,” she said. “We are losing the crème de la crème, because they are retiring.”

There has also been an increase in workload for those lecturers remaining. She added: “We are seeing many of them going home with a big bag of marking.”

‘Nothing but praise for staff’

Ms Pagan stressed that she was aware similar changes were happening at colleges across Scotland, and the challenges at Edinburgh were not an isolated occurrence.

“I have nothing but praise for the staff at this college - and over the years, most of them have taught me,” she said.

After a bad experience of learning at school, Ada embarked on her first course in 1977 - when her employer suggested she should work towards some part-time qualifications - and she hasn’t stopped since. She started her working life as a shop assistant, and retired as an Inland Revenue investigations officer.

While she was working, she selected courses according to what would be most useful for her career. But now, 13 years after retiring, her interests dictate her choices. She is currently studying advanced criminology and conflict in the workplace through open learning, using a college library as her study space.

“Criminology has always been something I was interested in. I was a big Agatha Christie fan but, when you study it, they are not made-up cases. And conflict in the workplace is so up to date.”

“I thoroughly enjoy studying. It gets me moving. Many people over 70 say they can find the day drags but that’s never the case for me. I would always recommend the college for studying because the staff are really friendly and there’s a lovely supportive atmosphere.”

Her fellow students are certainly getting younger, but she has built great relationships with many of them over the years. “I don’t care if I am the oldest one in the class,” she said. “Some people might feel out of place, but I was never in that situation.

“Some of my family think I am stupid. ‘Why do you want to go to college at your age?’ they say. But I say: ‘Why do you want to go to bingo every day?’”