Since 2017, universities across the country have delivered Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) as an earn-and-learn route to getting a degree. Universities Scotland Head of Learning and Teaching Dr Kirsty Conlon reflects on graduate apprenticeships and how making them more adaptable will benefit the learner, universities, employers, and the economy. Graduate apprenticeships form an innovative element of vocational learning, delivered as part of a diverse skills landscape to students and in partnership with a…
News
January
13
2026
Universities respond to the Scottish Government budget for 2026/27
Responding to the Scottish Government’s settlement for university resource and capital budgets for 2026/27, Professor James Miller, Convener of Universities Scotland and Principal of the University of the West of Scotland said; “We recognise the fiscal pressures on the Scottish Government, therefore, a settlement for teaching that sits slightly above inflation is welcome. However, it…
December
18
2025
Joint Universities Scotland–Scottish Government Project Launches to Shape Future Funding Framework
Universities Scotland Convener, Prof James Miller shares his thoughts on the launch of the Future Funding Framework partnership. A major cross-party initiative to secure the long-term financial viability and sustainability of Scotland’s university sector has been launched today by Universities Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Government. The initiative marks one of the most substantial…
December
18
2025
Joint Framework announced to secure the future of Scotland’s universities for the next generation
The Scottish Government and Universities Scotland have today (Thursday 18 December) announced the launch of a new, joint process that will co-design a Framework for a successful and sustainable future for Scotland’s universities for the next 20 years. It is the first fundamental look at how to secure the sustainability of Scotland’s universities since 2010/11….
Universities Scotland welcomes the UK’s reassociation to Erasmus
Universities Scotland welcomes the UK’s reassociation to Erasmus Responding to today’s announcement that the UK will rejoin the Erasmus programme in 2027, Claire McPherson, Director of Universities Scotland said; “Today’s announcement that the UK will rejoin the Erasmus programme from 2027 is very welcome news, and something universities have been calling for since leaving the…
November
10
2025
Scotland’s Global Edge: A Small Nation with World-Leading Research Impact
Scotland’s research community continues to excel – producing world-class science, driving innovation, and shaping solutions to global challenges. New data from Elsevier reveal that Scotland’s researchers are among the most collaborative, impactful, and environmentally engaged in the world. This blog was kindly written by Dr Sarah Main, VP Academic & Government, UK, Elsevier. A Nation…
October
30
2025
Scotland highlights key assets for international education in new report
In partnership with the British Council Scotland, we have published a report in partnership ‘Scotland’s Higher Education: Partnering for Global Impact’. The report highlights the strengths of Scotland’s higher education system and the uniqueness Scotland’s institutions across five different assets. The assets where Scotland’s higher education system thrives nationally and globally are; Tradition of education…
October
20
2025
Scotland research and innovation performance: explore the latest trends
A new study by Elsevier, has found that research carried out in Scotland’s universities has an “exceptional” international impact. Scottish research is cited 76% more frequently than the global average while 60% of its research publications are co-authored with international partners, nearly three times the global average. Dr Sarah Main, the author of the study…
September
26
2025
Stark Financial Picture and High-Risk Financial Context for Universities Evident in Financial Sustainability Report
Stark Financial Picture and High-Risk Financial Context for Universities Evident in Financial Sustainability Report The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has today (Friday, 26 September at 10.00) published its annual Financial Sustainability report for Scotland’s universities. Amongst the financial metrics, which cover the period 2022/23 to 2026/27 which includes some financial projections, key figures include: HEIs…
August
29
2025
A new national supercomputer for Edinburgh: why it matters for UK research
Professor Mark Parsons, Director of EPCC and Dean of Research Computing at the University of Edinburgh. EPCC, part of the University of Edinburgh, is the UK’s leading centre of Supercomputing and Data Science expertise has written an article on why the Supercomputer, hosted at the University of Edinburgh is important for UK research. As the…