We were pleased to submit views to the Scottish Government’s consultation on how it should use its share of the UK Apprencticeship Levy as transferred to Scotland from the UK Government. As employers, Scotland’s universities support the use of apprenticeships. We think the volume of apprenticeships available should be demand-led and we are keen to…
Briefings & Evidence
Get in touch for more information on these, or any other, areas of activity
Universities Scotland responds to the Scottish Government’s Enterprise and Skills Review
We have been pleased to respond to a call for evidence from Economy Secretary Keith Brown MSP, as part of the end-to-end review of enterprise and skills support in Scotland that he is leading. Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions are committed to delivering impact in Scotland and the wider world and want to work as…
Briefing for Second Reading of the HE and Research Bill, Westminster, 19 July 2016
The 2nd reading of the Higher Education and Research Bill takes place from 11.30 on Tuesday, 19 July led by Rt Hon Sajid Javid. You can find Universities Scotland’s brief for MPs here. The Bill directly affects Scottish HEIs in both their teaching and their research. We ask for the support of Scottish MPs throughout the passage of…
Response to Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF): year 2 – technical consultation
We have responded to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) consultation on the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF): year 2 – technical consultation, which seeks views on the operation of the TEF in year 2, including the assessment framework and process. Read our full consultation response. Summary of our response: Scotland’s universities welcome the…
Briefing for 7 July, House of Commons, Backbench business – Support for the UK’s creative industries and their contribution to the economy
We have issued a briefing to MPs ahead of a backbench debate in the House of Commons on support for the UK’s creative industries and their contribution to the economy taking place today, Thursday 7 July, Key points include: Scotland’s Creative Industries contribute significantly to the economy, employing 68,500 people across more than 8,000 businesses…
Brief for 5 July House of Commons, Science and Technology Committee’s oral evidence session on Leaving the EU: Implications and opportunities for science and research
The Science and Technology Committee will examine the implications and opportunities of leaving the EU for science and research. Among those giving evidence will be Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Chair of the Universities UK Research Policy Network and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen. Universities Scotland has shared a brief with members of…
Submission to the Innovation Centres Review
We have responded to the Independent Review of Innovation Centres Programme chaired by Professor Graeme Reid. This independent review focuses on the delivery of the original vision, aims and objectives of the Innovation Centres Programme. The review will look at the progress and likely success of individual Innovation Centres, recognising that the review comes relatively early in…
Briefing for 16 June Members’ Debate on Rural Communities and the Post Study Work Visa
We have issued a briefing to MSPs ahead of Kate Forbes’ (SNP, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) Members’ Debate on Rural Communities and the Post Study Work Visa to take place on Thursday 16 June at 12.45 pm. We want to see a change to the UK’s immigration policy to allow international students, studying in Scotland, the…
Brief for 14 June 2016 Scottish Government debate on the ‘Contribution of Colleges and Universities to Scotland’s success’
The Scottish Government is leading a debate on Tuesday 14 June in Holyrood entitled ‘The Contribution of Colleges and Universities to Scotland’s success’. Universities Scotland has shared a brief with MSPs that focuses on universities’ role in economic growth, Scotland’s talent pool, fairness, partnerships with schools and colleges and in Scotland’s culture and communities amongst…
Universities Scotland’s position on the Teaching Excellence Framework
On 16 May, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) published, Success as a Knowledge Economy: Teaching Excellence, Social Mobility and Student Choice, a white paper on Higher Education. The white paper contains plans for the development of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). Universities Scotland is engaging constructively in the development of the TEF….