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Universities Scotland comments on latest UCAS application figures

Commenting on today’s UCAS application figures for 2018 entry, Universities Scotland spokesperson said: “Today’s figures show that demand for Scottish higher education remains very high. This means that there will be no let-up in the fierce competition for places amongst applicants. “We have seen a fall in applications from those from the most deprived areas of…

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Universities Scotland comments on Ministerial Statement on EU students

Responding to the news the Scottish Government will continue to fund EU students up to the 2019-20 student cohort, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland said: “We welcome today’s news that EU students starting in 2019-20 will have the cost of their tuition met by the Scottish Government. We are delighted that the Scottish…

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Universities Scotland comments on extension of Tier 4 pilot scheme

Responding to the news that the Home Office intends to expand the Tier 4 visa pilot to a further 23 institutions for students on a Masters’ course, including University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland said: It’s good to see the Home Office expanding the Tier 4 visa…

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Universities Scotland responds to Scottish Government budget for 2018/19

The Finance Secretary, Derek Mackay, has announced a revenue budget for higher education institutions of £1,024.9 million in 2018/19 which is a 1.1 per cent increase in higher education revenue spending, compared to the previous year. This increase to the revenue budget should enable the real terms protection of universities’ Teaching Grant, which was our…

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Our response to latest Report from the Commissioner for Fair Access

The Commissioner for Fair Access has published his first annual report this morning (13 December 2017).   The Commissioner’s first annual report on access is both challenging, interesting and useful. We’d expect nothing less. Universities will give his set of 23 new recommendations urgent and full consideration. On first sight, there appears to be lots…

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Universities launch campaign to promote the real value of the Teaching Grant

Scotland’s 19 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have today launched a campaign, ahead of the Scottish Government’s budget next week, highlighting the importance of the higher education Teaching Grant. The positive campaign, the real value of T, raises awareness and understanding of the importance of the higher education Teaching Grant through the stories of ten staff,…

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Scholarships worth a total of £6 million available to students from India

  Students from India studying in Scotland have access to more than £6million in international scholarships with over £1million ringfenced to specifically attract outstanding Indian students, Universities Scotland has revealed.   As a delegation of Scotland’s higher education leaders accompany Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney on an official visit to India, Universities Scotland can…

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Scotland’s Universities Welcome India

A delegation of 21 senior leaders from Scotland’s higher education sector are accompanying Deputy First Minister John Swinney on an official visit to India today, December 1 2017. The mission, a joint venture between the Scottish Government, British Council, Scottish Development International and Universities Scotland, will meet with key Indian government officials, education policymakers and business…

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Response to Sutton Trust report: Admissions in Context

Universities Scotland has responded to the publication of the Sutton Trust’s report, Admissions in Context. The report provides new evidence on the use of ‘contextualised’ admissions and offers some insights into the difference that greater use of contextual data might make to the numbers of disadvantaged students at these universities. Commenting on the report, Universities Scotland Director,…

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Committee of Scottish Chairs publish a new code of governance

Universities Scotland welcomes the publication of the 2017 edition of the Scottish Code of Good Higher Education Governance. The code, which sets out principles and practices to ensure the effective governance of universities, represents a significant step forward in university transparency, inclusion and accountability. The safeguarding of good governance in HEIs is the responsibility of the…

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