Last year we commissioned BiGGAR Economics to analyse the role of universities in advanced economies, in particular their role in productivity growth and the fiscal returns on investment. Reporting in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings provide a timely reminder of universities’ fundamental importance to advanced economies. The analysis demonstrates that a thriving…
Briefings & Evidence
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Scotland’s Recovery
Post-pandemic the university sector will be a key part of Scotland’s recovery. The world-leading research and teaching that we offer will be strategically deployed to accelerate the recovery. Scotland will face severe challenges as we look beyond the coronavirus emergency. Its universities will co-develop an agile response with government, agencies, business and wider partners across…
Universities Scotland submission to the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery
Universities Scotland responded to a call for evidence from the Scottish Government’s Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, the body providing expert advice on Scotland’s economic recovery from COVID-19. The Group will bring forward solutions to enable a swift economic recovery and one that also ensures the Scottish economy emerges from the pandemic stronger and more…
Universities Scotland briefing on the UK Government’s introduction of Temporary Student Number Controls
Universities Scotland has produced a briefing on a sudden and disruptive policy change that has the potential to negatively impact on the recruitment of English undergraduate students for the 2020 and 2021 intake. This will be introduced by the Department for Education on 1 June without any consultation with institutions in Scotland. The potential impact…
Education and Skills Committee inquiry on the impact of COVID-19 on higher education
• Universities Scotland is clear that universities will need decisive and strategic action from both the Scottish and UK Government to get them through this crisis. The scale of the financial challenge is greater than the Scottish Government can meet from its existing budget. This is not a political point and this is not a time for politicking. Universities want to work in lock step with both Governments and believe this matches their objective during this time.
An existential challenge: the financial threat facing Scotland’s universities as a result of COVID-19
The impact of the pandemic is still unfolding on our universities, as it is for the rest of the country. However, it is becoming clear that the impacts on higher education will be both significant and long-lasting and there is currently no clear path to sufficient support. Scotland’s universities need a response from the Scottish…
Universities Scotland response to Scottish Government consulation on Replacement of European Structural Funds
Universities Scotland has responded to a call for views from the Scottish Government on a successor scheme to European Structural Funds. The consultation is looking at how any replacement funding vehicle could best meet the needs of citizens, businesses and communities in Scotland. Our response calls for the new fund to be focused on locality,…
Confidentiality clauses in the Scottish university sector
Universities Scotland members signed off a joint statement on the use of confidentiality clauses in the Scottish university sector in January 2020. You can read the statement here.
Universities Scotland response to Universities UK Review of Fair Admissions
Universities Scotland has responded to a call for evidence from Universities UK to inform their review of fair admissions to higher education. The review has been established to identify the main challenges linked to undergraduate admissions and offer-making practices, review the 2004 Schwartz principles on fair admissions, and propose ways to ensure that admissions work in…
Universities Scotland briefing for Scottish Government debate: Scotland as a Science Nation
Ahead of the Scottish Government debate on Scotland as a Science Nation, Universities Scotland published a briefing for MSPs. The debate took place on Tuesday 26 November 2019. The briefing highlighted the strengths of Scotland as a Science Nation as well as the challenges facing the nation.