Universities Scotland

Publications

All the publications listed below are available to download in PDF format. If you are having problems viewing the publications, you may need to download the free Acrobat Reader.
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2013

Taking Pride in the Job: University action on graduate employability

Taking Pride in the Job is the product of a year-long engagement with business, students, and universities. Our goal, and the focus of the report, was to identify existing good practice which can be shared to enhance employability and propose further action to continue to improve the employability of graduates. Read Taking Pride in the Job

2013

Further and Higher Education ICT Strategy

Delivery of Public Services and the McClelland review of public sector ICT, Scotland's universities and colleges set out here a shared vision for ICT in the sector. This strategy will engage and be developed for the benefit of Scotland's citizens. It will ensure an inclusive approach and will aim to position Scotland, not only as one of the best educators in the world, but one of the most modern and efficient practitioners of education supported and enhanced by technology. Read the ICT Strategy

2012

Delivering for Scotland: University Outcome Agreements 2012-13

Outcome agreements between the SFC and individual HEIs have been introduced as a key process in delivering and demonstrating universities' impact from Scotland's public investment in the sector. This summary uses three overarching themes: opportunity, innovation and relevance, to explore the achievements and aspirations that institutions have set out. Read the Universities Scotland summary

2012

360Degrees: Equipping Scotland's Graduates for Success

This joint Universities Scotland/AGCAS Scotland publication presents a collection of graduate success stories alongside comments from business with an optimistic outlook on the graduate jobs market. The 19 graduates featured in the pages of 360Degrees show that young people with the right skills and attitude can still succeed. Read 360Degrees

2012

Beyond the Senior Phase: University Engagement with Curriculum for Excellence

This report considers university engagement with the senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence and sees university principals deliver a firm commitment to ‘fair and equal' consideration of the varied range and routes to qualifications soon to be available to pupils in Scotland's schools. This commitment will be of interest to schools' leaders and parents, given pupils currently in S2 will soon be making decisions from next year onwards that will affect the choices available to them in the senior phase. Read the full report


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New code of governance set to make Scottish universities the most progressive in Europe
Universities Scotland welcomes the draft publication of a new code of good governance for Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions today [16 April], describing it as a progressive code which would set Scotland’s universities at the leading edge of accountable governance amongst all of Europe.

The draft code was welcomed by Universities Scotland’s Convener, Professor Pete Downes, also Principal of the University of Dundee:

“The new code makes a significant number of stretching and progressive requirements that will make Scotland’s universities even more transparent, inclusive and accountable to their many stakeholders. I support its introduction in Scotland and I’m confident that all universities will get behind it.

“Universities Scotland welcomed the development of a new code of governance in the spirit of continuous improvement; the principle that universities operate to in all areas of their activity. The code published today builds on the existing UK code which was already held in esteem across Europe and further afield as a model of strong HE governance. The new code, which takes us further on measures of transparency, inclusion and accountability, is set to make Scotland’s universities amongst the most progressive in Europe.”

Key measures within the new draft code include:

  • New measures to provide greater transparency in decisions relating to the remuneration of the Principal.
  • New measures for greater staff and student involvement in the formal appraisal of the Principal.
  • A new requirement to include goals for greater diversity of the governing body membership and regular monitoring of progress towards such goals.
  • The creation of a new role in university governance of Vice Chair with particular responsibility for assessing the Chair’s performance.
  • A requirement for the constitution of a nominations committee for the appointment of lay members of the governing body and selection of the Chair to ensure staff and student engagement.
  • A new requirement that vacancies for independent or lay members of university governing bodies are advertised externally. The recruitment process must address issues of equality and diversity and should involve a skills register to assist in identifying the skills needs of the institution. 
  • Clear responsibilities for the Chair to protect discussions at the governing body from dominance by senior management.
  • Affirmation of the importance of university autonomy
  • Renewed commitment to the importance of academic freedom


The code is now in a final eight-week consultation phase lasting until 11 June. The aim is to approve the final code in time for implementation in academic year 2013/14.

You can read the full press release here. The code can be downloaded at: www.scottishuniversitygovernance.ac.uk