Universities Scotland is proud that our member institutions are host to over 28,000 students from outside the UK. They are an important part of our university community, and the breadth of their contribution to Scotland’s social and cultural life was summarised in Richer for It. Scottish students benefit from learning alongside international peers, and our…
News
Officially one of the best higher education sectors in the world
The Times Higher has published the 2017 world university rankings. Five Scottish universities feature in the top 200 and another 7 universities feature in the list which represents the best 5 per cent of universities in the world. Commenting on the rankings, a spokesperson said: “With five universities in the world’s top 200 and 12…
Scottish Government Capital Stimulus for HE very welcome news
Higher education is to receive £25 million of the Scottish Government’s new £100m Capital Stimulus Package. The details were announced in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government for 2016-17 on Tuesday 6 September. Responding to the announcement Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “Universities are delighted to be one of the recipients of the…
University commitment to review admissions to improve access
Today (6th September) The Herald reported on universities’ commitment to review their admissions systems, one of the three work streams Universities Scotland is taking forward as part of our response to the Commission on Widening Access. Speaking to the Herald, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “Universities are saying they will do more to…
Futures not Backgrounds
Universities Scotland has set out its response to the Blueprint for Fair Access, the report of the Commission on Widening Access produced in March 2016. University leaders are to take forward three broad areas of work that address a number of the recommendations made by the Commission. Work will start straight away on a review…
Results day brings university success for Scots
Higher results day has brought good news for Scottish students today (Tuesday 9 August) with a 5 per cent increase in the number of Scots accepted into a Scottish university for 2016/17 academic year compared to the same point last year. As of midnight last night 28,300 Scottish students had accepted a place at one…
Response to Home Office Tier 4 visa pilot for international students
Universities Scotland was asked for comment on the UK Government’s new pilot exercise on the Tier 4 visa scheme open to international students who have studied masters programmes in four UK universities. Details of the scheme can be found on p93 of this Home Office guidance. A spokesperson from Universities Scotland said: “We welcome the fact…
Professor Andrea Nolan announced as Convener of Universities Scotland
Universities Scotland, the organisation which represents all 19 of Scotland’s higher education institutions welcomes Professor Andrea Nolan as its Convener for a period of two years, from today, 1 August 2016 to 31 July 2018. Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at Edinburgh Napier University, was elected to the post by her peer group of…
Joint Statement: Scottish Government and Universities Scotland on EU Staff and Research
In a joint statement today the Scottish Government and Universities Scotland have made clear that the contribution of EU researchers to our excellent research as well as to our economy, society and culture is valued. Researchers in Scotland also continue to benefit from freedom of movement across the EU, enabling them to collaborate or to…
Graduates from Scotland’s universities secure best levels of employment in the UK
New UK Performance Indicator figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show 95.1 per cent of graduates from Scotland’s universities in 2014/15 secured employment or further study six months after graduation – the highest levels in the UK. Graduates from Scotland’s universities were more likely to be in employment or further study than…