Scottish Colleges can now embrace streamlined funding with New FES Return Launch in Tribal ebs

A major milestone has been reached for Scottish Further Education as the FES (Further Education Statistics) return is now officially live in Tribal’s ebs platform. From today, colleges across Scotland can complete their statutory funding returns directly within ebs, marking a significant step forward in efficiency, accuracy, and user experience.

The new functionality empowers funding teams with a suite of powerful tools designed to simplify and accelerate the return process. With data validation on entry, user-friendly web interfaces, and near-instantaneous return generation, colleges can now focus their efforts where they matter most—supporting learners and strategic planning—rather than being bogged down by administrative overhead.

New SQA Exams Integration Enhances Academic Data Management

This release also introduces a robust integration with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), enabling seamless management of exam data. Colleges can now:

• Upload confirmed results directly to the SQA
• Import results back into ebs
• Manage embargoes, release schedules, and certificate distribution—all within a single platform

This integration ensures that academic records are handled with precision and speed, reducing manual effort and the risk of errors.

Flexible Income Calculation for Smarter Financial Planning

Another key enhancement is the ability to calculate income based on either cash flow or SFC (Scottish Funding Council) credits. This dual approach allows institutions to gain a clearer picture of both self-funded and state-funded courses, supporting more accurate forecasting and financial decision-making.

A Collaborative Effort for a Better Future in FE

This development is the result of a close partnership between Tribal and North East Scotland College (NESCol). Together, we are working to build a more data-driven, efficient, and learner-friendly future for Scottish Further Education.

As Scottish colleges begin to adopt these new capabilities, the future of funding and academic data management looks brighter, faster, and more intuitive than ever before.