Responding to today’s (1 November) announcement by the Scottish Government that it will invest in 80 new counsellors across colleges and universities, Deputy Director of Universities Scotland, David Lott said: “The investment in counsellors for universities is a welcome one. Student mental health is incredibly important and we are delighted to be working across the…
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Universities Scotland response to EHRC report into racial harassment in higher education
Responding to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report on racial harassment in higher education, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland said: “The findings are stark and challenging for universities and we must turn to face those findings and recommendations head on. “We are committed to tackle racial harassment within universities. We will follow…
Audit of university finances shows worrying picture of funding cuts and rising costs
Responding to a new audit of university finances, Universities Scotland’s Convener, Professor Andrea Nolan, has said that the next budget from the Scottish Government will be vital to the sustainability of the higher education sector. Audit Scotland’s report, Finances of Scottish Universities, published today (Thursday 19 September 2019) shows the financial picture for the country’s…
Concern remains high in universities about no-deal Brexit
Every Scottish university who responded to a survey about preparedness for a no-deal Brexit said they are ‘very’ or ‘extremely concerned’ about the prospect, despite making the necessary preparations for such an eventuality. The analysis was undertaken by Universities UK who assessed its members’ preparedness for a no-deal Brexit ahead of the proposed exit date…
Universities Scotland welcomes new post-study work offer
Reacting to the UK Government’s announcement that international students will be allowed to live and work in the UK for two years after graduating, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “This is a very significant and positive announcement for Scottish and UK universities and one that has long had overwhelming cross-party support in Scotland…
Scotland’s universities to guarantee offers to care experienced applicants who meet minimum entry requirements
Scotland’s 18 higher education institutions[1] have today (25 July) set out a new commitment that care experienced applicants[2] who meet minimum entry requirements will be guaranteed an offer of an undergraduate place at university. This bold, sector-wide move will be in place for the next admissions cycle, starting this autumn for people looking to start…
Scottish universities receive strong report card from students
This year’s National Student Survey (NSS) results have shown that students studying at Scottish universities are more satisfied with the quality of their course compared with last year. Overall satisfaction with courses in Scotland has improved by one per cent since 2018 and now stands at 84 per cent. The figure matches the UK average…
Universities Scotland respond to the second annual report of the Commissioner for Fair Access
Following the publication of the second annual report of the Commissioner for Fair Access, a spokesperson for Universities Scotland said: “There’s a lot in this report that’s designed to keep the pressure on universities and we’ve come to expect that from the Commissioner but there is also a clear recognition of the amount of progress made…
The economic contribution made by Scottish universities
On Friday (31 May), Universities Scotland were asked to respond to comments made at a seminar about the economic contribution made by Scotland’s universities. Part of our response was printed in Saturday’s edition of The Times. The full statement from our Director, Alastair Sim was: “We’re all working towards the same goal, which is to…
Augar Review recommendations: Any changes in fees in England has implications for Scotland
Responding to the publication of Theresa May’s review of post-18 education and funding (the ‘Augar review’), Universities Scotland is calling on the government and next prime minister to consider fully the potential consequences of the recommendations for universities and students in the devolved nations. Commenting on the report, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said:…