National student funding body partners with Valtech and Appian to replace end-of-life systems with modern, scalable digital platform.
The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is an executive agency of the Scottish government and the national student body, responsible for some 160,000 students in higher education, providing them with information resources and support – as well as money. Working with the wider education sector, it strives to ensure that every student receives the support they need to fulfil their potential.
University of Glasgow, photo by Johnny Briggs / Unsplash
However, the core systems on which SAAS relies are now approaching their end of life. To continue to deliver secure, resilient and accessible services, and as part of a wider modernisation initiative across SAAS, an ambitious new programme has been agreed to replace the core systems.
It has now been announced that Valtech has been appointed as implementation partner, deploying the Appian process automation platform to underpin a new case management and digital service. This new platform will enable SAAS to design simpler, more intuitive online journeys, improve case handling and respond more flexibly to changing policy and student needs.
It will also strengthen data security, governance and service resilience, helping to ensure that public funds are managed responsibly and transparently.
While work has begun, students applying to or engaging with SAAS won’t notice any immediate change. The CSR programme will be delivered in phases, with early improvements expected to go live from April 2027, and further rollout continuing until 2030. The team emphasis that, all through this period, SAAS will focus on maintaining stable, secure and reliable services.
Catherine Topley, Chief Executive of SAAS, says: ‘Replacing our core systems is essential for safeguarding the future of student support in Scotland. This investment provides the foundation for secure, reliable and accessible services that meet the needs of students today and in the years ahead. By modernising our technology, we are strengthening resilience, improving efficiency and ensuring we deliver value for money for the people of Scotland.’
Sam Ineson, Public Sector Director at Valtech, says: ‘Modernising core systems at this scale is critical to strengthening long-term resilience in student support. By combining the strength and scalability of the Appian process automation platform with our experience delivering complex public sector change, we will support SAAS to build a future-ready capability that supports operational resilience and continuous improvement. This programme strengthens performance today and establishes a strong foundation for more intelligent, insight-led and data-driven services over time, supporting better service delivery for students across Scotland.’
Peter Corpe, Industry Leader for UK Public Sector at Appian, adds: ‘We are proud to partner with SAAS and Valtech to modernise the student funding experience in Scotland. By deploying Appian’s AI-powered automation as the foundation for SAAS’ new case management and digital services environment, together, we are creating a more responsive, transparent, and dependable service. This partnership will deliver a secure, resilient and scalable platform to underpin long-term transformation.
‘Ultimately, this transformation project is about improving outcomes for students with simpler online journeys and faster case handling. For SAAS, it provides a secure, scalable platform that ensures they can continue to support the people who rely on them most. This reflects wider momentum Appian is seeing across government, as organisations prioritise increased productivity and efficiency through improved process management, strengthening governance and delivering value for money.’
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