On Tuesday 31 May, the Scottish Parliament is due to hear a Ministerial Statement on Widening Access. As part of that statement, Universities Scotland has prepared a briefing for Members of the Scottish Parliament updating them on actions taken by higher education institutions since A Blueprint for Fairness was published last year. Read the briefing…
Briefings & Evidence
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Learner Journey Review: Proposals from Universities Scotland
Last year, the Scottish Government launched a review of the 15-24 Learner Journey, examining the effectiveness and efficiency of the 15-24 Learner Journey for all 15 to 24 year olds. Universities Scotland has been playing a full role in the review which is considering the 15-24 Learner Journey from the senior phase (S4-S6) leading to employment,…
Response to the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy
The Scottish Higher Education sector warmly welcomes the Industrial Strategy and the recognition of the potential contribution of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to future economic growth across the whole of the UK. Scottish HEIs are committed to making our contribution to productivity and economic growth, and look forward to working with industry, Scottish Government, UK…
Consultation on the second Research Excellence Framework (REF)
The four UK higher education funding bodies consulted on detailed arrangements for research assessment in a second Research Excellence Framework (REF). The consultation sets out proposals on implementation of the next REF, building on the REF2014 and delivering the principles identified in Lord Stern’s Independent Review of the REF. To read Universities Scotland’s response to…
Brief for Scottish Conservative’s Business debate on the Abolition of the Scottish Funding Council Board
The Scottish Conservative business debate on 1 March 2017 is based on the motion entitled: “Abolition of the Scottish Funding Council” in the name of Liz Smith MSP. This is in the context of the Phase One Report from the Scottish Government’s Enterprise and Skills Review. The Report recommended the creation of a new ‘super…
Supplementary evidence to Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee on “Audit of higher education in Scottish universities”
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney MSP was asked by the Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee to give evidence on 2 February 2017. This evidence session was further to a session of the committee on 1 December 2016 where Universities Scotland, the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council appeared in front…
Response to European Commission’s interim evaluation of the Horizon 2020 programme
Horizon 2020 is the EU Research and Innovation programme running over 7 years (2014-2020). The European Commission undertook an interim evaluation of the programme to assess the progress of the different components of Horizon 2020 and to understand the achievements, efficiency and EU added value of the programme. The consultation closed on 15 January 2017….
Education and Skills Committee debate on SFC, SQA, SDS and Education Scotland
On Thursday 12 January 2017, the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee held a debate on its pre-budget scrutiny of four education bodies: Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Qualifications Authority, Skills Development Scotland and Education Scotland. Universities Scotland has been active throughout this debate, contributing evidence to the committee’s inquiry, focusing on the role of the…
Letter to Cabinet Secretary Brown on SFC governance structures in creating new enterprise and skills super-board
Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Mr Keith Brown MSP gave evidence to Holyrood’s Education and Skills Committee on 7 December on the Enterprise and Skills Review. Professor Andrea Nolan wrote to him following that session, in her capacity as US Convener, to set out our views on the design principles that…
Response to Department for Education consultation on postgraduate doctoral loans
At Budget 2015, the UK Government announced its intention to review how to broaden and strengthen support for postgraduate research and subsequently published a consultation on support for postgraduate study. This consultation took place in November and December 2016. Professor Sir Tim O’Shea responded on behalf of Universities Scotland in his capacity as the Convener…