Universities Scotland has responded to a call for evidence from the Scottish Government’s new Advisory Council on the economy. Chaired by the Economy Secretary, Kate Forbes MSP, the Advisory Council will put forward ideas on how to drive Scotland’s economic transformation as the country recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. Our submission highlights the higher education…
Briefings & Evidence
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Universities Scotland briefing for Scottish Government debate: Economic Recovery
Ahead of a debate in the Scottish Parliament on economic recovery (Wednesday 2 June 2021), Universities Scotland provided a brief to MSPs outlining universities’ contribution to the nation’s recovery from the pandemic. In the brief we refer to a report by the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education (NCEE) which states that over the next…
Department for Education’s post-qualification admissions consultation
Universities Scotland responded to the Department for Education’s consultation on post-qualification admissions. Our submission reflected the particular implications of the proposed admissions reform for Scottish learners and the Scottish university sector. In our submission we highlight: – Admissions reform must put the learner at the centre and make admissions fairer – Maintaining a centralised admissions…
Universities Scotland manifesto ‘asks’ for 2021 Scottish Parliament election
Ahead of the Scottish Parliament election on 6 May 2021, Universities Scotland has prepared a briefing outlining the higher education policies we’re seeking support for in political parties’ manifestos and from the next Scottish Government. Our five key asks are: Increase the amount invested in teaching and wider student support for each Scottish domiciled undergraduate…
Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, Public Accounts Committee inquiry
Universities Scotland responded to the UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee inquiry on the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF). In our submission reflected the importance UK-wide of the ISCF and the implications for its application in Scotland. In our submission we highlight: Communication issues surrounding submissions; Collaborations being heavily focused on corporations not SMEs; Scotland only…
Maintaining fair assessment for university students in academic year 2020/21
Scotland’s higher education institutions have offered reassurance to all students that fairness will continue to be a defining feature of assessment processes in 2020/21. A new statement by all 19 universities reaffirms their commitment to ensuring that student assessment, and the processes that lead to progression and graduation, are underpinned by the fundamental principles of…
Universities Scotland response to Office for Students consultation on regulating quality and standards
Universities Scotland has responded to a consultation by the Office for Students on regulating quality and standards in higher education. The consultation includes proposals on new definitions of quality and standards and setting baselines for student outcomes. These new definitions of quality and standards would replace existing UK-wide definitions. Our submission highlights the importance we…
Submission to Education and Skills Committee on the 2021 staggered restart of teaching in higher education
Ahead of the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead MSP, giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee on Wednesday 27 January 2021, Universities Scotland provided evidence to update the Committee on the impact of the staggered restart of teaching in higher education. In the briefing, we call on…
Submission to Education and Skills Committee on its pre-2021/22 Budget Scrutiny
As part of its pre-2021/22 Budget Scrutiny, we were asked to submit evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee on what the higher education sector in Scotland needs to see in the forthcoming budget. Our submission highlights the fact that public investment in higher education has been unsustainable for years and that the…
Briefing ahead of Ministerial Statement: An Update on the Impact of EU Exit on Scotland’s Further and Higher Education Sectors
On 29 October 2020, the Scottish Parliament heard from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead MSP about the impact of Brexit on the further and higher education sectors. To help inform MSPs in their questioning of the Minister after the statement, we prepared a briefing focusing on the two main…