Adam Smith College offered a range of courses from introductory level through to degrees and professional qualifications.

Through partnership with businesses, charitable trusts and individual donors the Foundation developed a Scholarship Programme which provides recognition, a financial award, and in some cases, work experience and internships to support and encourage students to achieve their full potential.

The Adam Smith Lecture series has attracted prestigious national and international speakers including: Alan Greenspan KBE, who spoke while Chairman of the Federal Reserve in the US; and Sir Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England, both of whom were introduced by The Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, former prime minister and last chancellor of the college.

In 2012 the college became embroiled in controversy amid claims of systemic abuse, bullying and victimisation of staff and students, and misappropriation of finances, by senior management.

[5][6] On 26 January 2012 the Interested Parties of Adam Smith College group launched the ItsOurCollegeNotCraigs website, which allowed staff and public to comment on the situation and sign a petition to the Government.

[5][6] The Government Minister David Torrance was one of the first to comment on the site, encouraging any staff to contact him in confidence.

He said “I have arranged a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Education Michael Russell to call on a full external enquiry into these allegations..”[5][6] An Adam Smith College spokesman confirmed that two executive directors were already being investigated, saying “These are being fully investigated and will comply with our official procedures.