Professor Sally Mapstone has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in her Platinum Jubilee year. Sally has been made a DBE for her extraordinary services to higher education. Dame Sally has been Principal and Vice Chancellor the University of St Andrews since 2016. She has been Vice Convener of Universities Scotland since 2020 and…
News
Response to resource spending review
The Scottish Government published its resource spending review today, setting out its high-level spending intentions to 2026/27. It includes an indicative, combined allocation for higher education and further education. The combined budget is set to be flat in cash terms for the next four years at £1,501 million. Responding to the announcement, which represents a…
Our response to Sir Peter Scott’s Final Report as Commissioner for Fair Access
Responding to the final report from the Commission for Fair Access, Sir Peter Scott, Director of Universities Scotland, Alastair Sim said: “Scotland’s universities have achieved a lot when it comes to widening access in recent years. As a sector, we have introduced the most progressive admissions policies for students in the UK and have reached…
Research and innovation at risk with cuts to funding
University leaders are warning that Scotland’s hard won reputation for research and innovation is at risk. The Scottish Funding Council has issued its funding allocations for universities for the next academic year 2022/23 including the Research Excellence Grant. The Research Excellence Grant supports top-quality research with the aim to keep Scotland globally competitive and attractive…
Universities Scotland announce new elected leadership team
Universities Scotland is delighted to announce that Professor Sally Mapstone has been elected to the role of Convener for a period of two years, from 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2024. Sir Paul Grice will take up the role of Vice Convener for the same period. Universities Scotland represents all 19 of Scotland’s higher…
New figures show no let-up on widening access from universities
Universities Scotland have welcomed the publication of the Report on Widening Access 2020-21 by the sector’s funding body, the Scottish Funding Council which demonstrates the sector’s commitment to widening access. The Scottish Government’s Commission on Widening Access set the sector a target that by 2021, students from the 20% most-disadvantaged backgrounds (SIMD20) should represent at…
REF 2021: Scotland’s universities deliver research of “world leading” quality and impact
The results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF), an exercise to assess the quality and impact of UK university research, are published today (Thursday, 12 May) and found Scotland’s universities are performing at a “world-leading” and “internationally excellent” standard. 84.86% of Scotland’s research has been judged to be 4* and 3* on the overall measure,…
Universities’ achievement hailed in new world impact rankings
Universities Scotland has welcomed new global rankings that demonstrate the impact of institutions’ teaching and research on improving the world as aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Seven universities* from Scotland are represented in the rankings, all featuring in the top 20% of more than 1,500 universities globally. The Times Higher Education…
Universities Scotland supports the announcement of free tuition for displaced Ukrainian students
Responding to the announcement made this morning (Thursday 14 April) by the Scottish Government that displaced Ukrainian students settling in Scotland will be given access to free tuition and living cost support. Universities Scotland’s Director, Alastair Sim, said: “Scotland’s university leaders are appalled at the continuing desperate crisis in Ukraine. We are committed to offering…
Statement of solidarity with Ukraine
Universities Scotland stands with Ukraine. We unequivocally condemn the invasion and are deeply concerned by the horrific events in Ukraine. We express our support for Ukrainian students and staff, studying, working and living in Scotland and those around the world. Every university has reached out directly to the individuals most affected by this conflict to…