THE number of college students taking part in sport and physical activity in Scotland has more than doubled in the space of a year, according to a new evaluation of the national Active Campus programme.
Figures published by SportScotland show that participation across Scotland’s colleges rose from 30,473 visits in the programme’s first year to 65,490 in its second – an increase of 115%.
Active Campus was launched in 2023 through a partnership between SportScotland, Colleges Scotland and Scottish Student Sport, with the aim of bringing sport, physical activity and wellbeing into everyday college life.
The programme operates through a network of 18 active campus coordinators working across college communities.
The latest data shows that there were 65,490 visits in year two – up from 30,473 in year one.
A total of 7,296 sport sessions were delivered during the second year of the programme, spanning 45 different activities, up 108% on the previous year.
While traditional activities such as football, fitness training, badminton, basketball and table tennis remain among the most popular, the fastest growth has been seen in a range of non-traditional sports.
Participation in frisbee golf increased by 453%, swimming by 250%, paddlesports by 142% and curling by 59%.
Programme leaders say the positive figures reflect a growing appetite among Scotland’s college students for accessible, inclusive opportunities that extend beyond competitive team sports, and which support physical, mental and social wellbeing.
The programme received a significant boost in October 2024 with the announcement of £1.45m in additional funding, securing the active campus coordinator network until at least 2027 and allowing for longer-term planning and development.
Gavin Donoghue, chief executive of Colleges Scotland, said the programme was having a transformative effect on college communities.
“Active Campus is a game-changer for Scotland’s colleges,” he said.
“It’s not just about sport – it’s about creating inclusive, welcoming spaces where students can connect, build confidence, improve their wellbeing and achieve their qualifications.
“The growth we’ve seen in just two years shows the appetite for these opportunities.”
Forbes Dunlop, chief executive of SportScotland, said the impact of the partnership was clear.
“It’s fantastic to see the significant impact this partnership, supported by National Lottery investment, is having on college life across the country,” he said.
“We know how beneficial being active can be for physical and mental wellbeing, and these figures clearly demonstrate the commitment of Active Campus coordinators to embedding activity into daily campus life.”
The next phase of the programme will focus on improving data collection, addressing facilities and resource pressures, and building on the foundations established since its launch.
