Aberdeen College is linking up with The Robert Gordon University to run a “flexible credit transfer scheme” that both institutions say is the first in Scotland, writes Neil Munro.

It will give points to students who leave university after first or second year that will count towards an HND qualification.

The scheme will be piloted using the BA Communications with Public Relations degree at the RGU, which has close ties with the college’s HND in Communication with Media. The Scottish Qualifications Authority has sanctioned the deal.

Rae Angus, the college principal, said: “Far too often, we see talented learners leaving university before their third year for a wide variety of reasons, with nothing to show for a year or two of hard work.”

This scheme is in effect the reverse of the normal links between FE and HE institutions. These allow students who already have an HND to switch to the third year of a degree course, where there are “articulation agreements”.