We have submitted our response to the Scottish Government consultation on support for part time and disabled students, which closed on Thursday 9 October. The consultation has two sets of different questions: one set for students, prospective students, parents and carers and the other for providers. The consultation includes questions on topics such as; Whether support for…
Briefings & Evidence
Get in touch for more information on these, or any other, areas of activity
Tertiary Education (Scotland) Bill, Stage 1 debate – Brief
Ahead of the stage 1 debate on the Tertiary Education and Training (Scotland) Bill (TET) this brief focuses on an opportunity regarding Graduate Apprenticeships, which could be realised from the Bill as it intends to make a transfer of powers between post-16 agencies. If delivered, this could support a more flexible and responsive skills option…
Response to the Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill, stage 1 general principles consultation
We have submitted a response to the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Public Administration Committee regarding regarding Stage 1 general principles consultation on the Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill. The Bill looks to introduces a new tax, called the Scottish Building Safety Levy, to be charged on the construction or conversion of residential property developments, with…
Pre-budget scrutiny 2026/27: submission to the Finance and Public Administration committee
We have responded to the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Public Administration Committee’s call for views on pre-budget scrutiny 2026/27, responding to the long term fiscal pressures. In our submission, we highlight the financial pressures that universities are facing, the benefits of further investment in universities and suggestions of actions and priorities for the Scottish Government…
Financial sustainability – a briefing for the Scottish Parliament’s Education Committee
Universities Scotland has been invited to give evidence to the Education, Children and Young People’s Committee on 4 June for a one-off session on the financial sustainability of the university sector. Our Director, Claire McPherson, will appear for US as part of a panel alongside three Principals. You can read our written submission here. Key…
Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill; call for views
Following a call for views from the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee, we have submitted our views on the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill. We have set out our support the Bill’s primary policy objective, as set out in the Policy Memorandum (para 7), to: “enable funding for…
Education (Scotland) Bill briefing to MSPs
We have written a briefing for MSPs regarding the Education (Scotland) Bill, which sets out our position and cause for concern on proposed amendments at stage two of the Bill. The Education (Scotland) Bill looks to establish a new body called Qualifications Scotland. It also looks to create a new office His Majesty’s Chief Inspector…
Submission to Education, Children and Young People Committee; inquiry into widening access
We have made a submission to the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People’s Committee on their inquiry into widening access. As a main ask from our ‘40 Faces‘ campaign in 2024, we welcome this inquiry as we approach the 2030 target. Within our submission, we highlight the progress that has been made in widening…
Youth mobility and UK-EU trade and Cooperation Agreement: submission to the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee
Ahead of giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee on Thursday 30 January, we have made a written submission to the Committee. The session will look at UK-EU trade and Cooperation Agreement, with a focus on youth mobility. In our submission, we highlight the various youth mobility options within…
Submission to Education, Children and Young People Committee on 2025/26 budget scrutiny
We have made a submission to the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People as part of their post-budget scrutiny, following the publication of the draft Scottish Government on 4 December. In our submission, we highlight the funding settlement that universities have received; the higher education (HE) resource settlement delivers a 0.7% real-terms cut, leaving…