Briefings & Evidence

Universities Scotland has submitted written evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee to be considered as part of its scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s Higher Education (Governance) Scotland Bill. The written evidence notes that Scotland’s universities share the Scottish Government’s commitment to modern, inclusive and accountable higher education governance, and that higher education governance…

Universities Scotland has provided written evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee as part of its examination of the spending decisions made, and outcomes delivered, by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). The response was made ahead of an oral evidence session in the Scottish Parliament with SFC managers on 29 September 2015. Our written…

Universities Scotland has submitted written evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee as part of its scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill Financial Memorandum (FM). Universities Scotland has concerns that the Financial Memorandum contains underestimates of costs facing higher education institutions (HEIs) as a result of the Bill’s provisions. However, our…

The Scottish Funding Council consultation looked at a Gender Action Plan relating to gender imbalances amongst students on certain courses. Universities are committed to fair and equal access to all higher education courses and are actively involved in a number of initiatives to make certain courses more appealing to underrepresented students. Universities Scotland first shared…

We have responded to the call for evidence by the Scottish Government’s Commission on Widening Access issued on 23 June 2015. We welcome the Commission on Widening Access and are fully supportive of the work it is taking forward. We particularly welcome the opportunity it creates for Scotland to take a truly holistic and joined-up…

Universities Scotland welcomes the opportunity to input evidence into the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) consideration of salary thresholds for tier 2 visas for international (non-EU) students. MAC will consider this issue in two tranches: the first tranche, analysing pay thresholds,and tranche two, the wider review, will be completed by December. We have chosen to make a separate…

BIS sought engagement on the detail behind the Chancellor’s commitment, in his autumn 2014 statement, to introduce a new loan for postgraduate taught study to anyone under the age of 30. The proposals apply to students at higher education institutions in England. Our submission welcomes the proposals for students at English HEIs. It agrees with…

Universities Scotland has submitted its response to the Scottish Funding Council’s consultation on a draft Strategic Plan for the three-year period 2015-18. Our response is summarised in terms of the following key themes:   Partnership: Experience has shown that the best outcomes for the sector and for Scotland follow from a strong and productive partnership…

The Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee sought engagement on the challenges and opportunities faced by Scotland’s existing and aspiring exporters. Our submission welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the  committee’s call for evidence as Scotland’s higher education sector generates export income, exporting £1.3 billion of services in 2012/13. The sector’s export income is derived from multiple sources…

Universities Scotland’s Convener has written to Sir Paul Nurse to provide the Scottish higher education sector’s response to the Nurse Review of Research Councils. Universities Scotland endorses Universities UK’s response to the Nurse Review of Research Councils and draws out some points that are of particular importance to universities in Scotland, including: Concern that there…