Universities Scotland has responded to an inquiry on the impact of experiencing poverty on young people at school. The inquiry, by the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee, will examine how poverty can affect the attainment and achievement of school-aged children. Given Scotland’s goal of widening access to university to those from all socio-economic backgrounds, we welcome the opportunity…
Briefings & Evidence
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Universities Scotland’s position on the development of Framework Programme 9
We have responded to a public consultation on the development of the EU’s Framework Programme 9 (FP9). The new research and innovation programme will succeed Horizon 2020 when it expires in a couple of years. You can read our full submission here.
Briefing for Scottish Government Debate: A Migration System that Meets the Needs of Scotland
On Thursday 22 February 2018, the Scottish Parliament hosted a Scottish Government debate on A Migration System that Meets the Needs of Scotland. Universities Scotland were happy to brief MSPs ahead of the debate about a subject that is of huge importance for the sector. You can read our brief here.
Sir Peter Scott’s appearance at Education and Skill Committee: Universities Scotland briefing
On Wednesday 21 February 2018 the Commissioner for Fair Access, Professor Sir Peter Scott gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee about his role in widening access. Our brief includes a short update on delivery of the set of 15 actions we as a sector are working on and sets out some of…
Our response to Commons Science and Technology Committee’s Brexit inquiry
Universities Scotland has responded to a call for evidence from the UK Parliament’s Science and Technology Committee. This month, the committee will host the ‘Brexit: Science and Innovation‘ summit, to identify actions to mitigate risks and exploit opportunities for UK science, research and innovation after Brexit. You can read our full submission here.
Our response to the Migration Advisory Committee’s call for evidence on international students
Universities Scotland has responded to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)’s consultation, International students: economic and social impacts. The MAC was commissioned by the UK Government in 2017 to assess the impact of international students in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The government has asked the MAC to report its findings by September 2018. The contribution of international students to Scottish…
Response to survey on metrics to be used the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF)
Universities Scotland has responded to a survey on the metrics used by the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF). The survey, by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), called for evidence on: suitable existing and potential new metrics how to ensure fair and meaningful comparison appropriate forms of presenting the results. Our submission recognised that although the development of the…
Universities Scotland response to UK Government consultation on Office for Students regulatory framework
Universities Scotland has responded to the UK Government consultation on a new regulatory framework under the Office for Students (OfS) titled Securing student success: risk-based regulation for teaching excellence, social mobility and informed choice in higher education. The consultations primarily focuses on regulatory arrangements in England, it is vital that the OfS considers the impact of…
Response to Education and Skills Committee’s inquiry on Horizon 2020
Universities Scotland has submitted a briefing on the funding of Horizon 2020 to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee. The Committee, chaired by James Dornan MSP, asked for input on the future of the programme, which funds research and innovation projects across Europe. Up until September 2017, Scotland gained some €438 million in funding from the programme….
Response to UKSCQA consultation on the UK Quality Code
Universities Scotland has responded to a consultation on the review of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education. The UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment (UKSCQA), the overseers of higher education quality assessment arrangements in the UK, are consulting on a new approach to the Quality Code. The Code, which plays a vital role in providing a…