Universities Scotland warmly welcomed today’s (Wednesday, 21st) indicative grant letter from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) for teaching and research in Scotland’s 19 universities for academic year 2012/13. The indicative grant letter translates the Scottish Government’s spending plans, as set out in September’s spending review, into academic year (AY) funding allocations for individual universities. Overall,…
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Breakthrough in university knowledge exchange to business as Scottish universities sign up to single set of contracts
Professor Seamus McDaid, Convener of Universities Scotland, will today [24 November] announce that Scotland’s universities have taken the unprecedented step of signing-up to a single set of contracts to aid the commercialisation of their research. The announcement comes at a conference on Scotland’s universities held in the capital (1). This step-change in process answers a…
UCAS figures too early to predict student demand but suggest students are taking the time to carefully consider their options
Universities Scotland responded to today’s (Monday 24 October) UCAS applicant figures for entry to university in 2012, saying the figures come too early in the cycle to make accurate predictions about student demand. The only certainty the data can offer is that students are choosing to take more time to make their choices following a…
Five Scottish universities in the Times Higher world top 200 but universities face brutally competitive international environment
Responding to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2011-12 table published today, Universities Scotland congratulated the five Scottish universities that appear amongst the top 200 institutions in the world but warned that the results show a brutally competitive international environment for universities. However, amidst strong and growing international competition Scotland’s universities cannot afford to…
Average RUK fee in Scotland is significantly lower than average fees charged by universities in England
Today’s (Monday 3 October) announcement by the University of the Highlands and Islands of its fee intentions for students that live in the rest of the UK marks the final fee announcement from a Scottish university. The announcement makes it possible to calculate an average fee payable by students that are ordinarily resident in the…
Spending plans support universities’ contribution to Scotland’s success
Universities Scotland gave a very strong welcome to the Scottish Government’s three-year spending plans announced today (Wednesday 21 September), which included an additional £135.5million per year for university teaching and research in cash terms by 2014/15. Responding to the announcement, Professor Seamus McDaid, Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “This is a very significant investment…
Post-16 agenda laid out by the Minister puts universities at the heart of Scotland’s success
Universities Scotland welcomed today’s publication of the Scottish Government’s pre-legislative agenda for post-16 reform by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning. The pre-legislative paper includes announcements for universities, colleges and other aspects of the post-compulsory learning landscape in Scotland. Specific to universities, the proposals build on some of the areas discussed throughout the…
Universities Scotland welcomes Government Economic Strategy’s clear role for universities in delivering growth
Scotland’s universities today welcomed the publication of the Government Economic Strategy and resolved to play their part in its delivery to the fullest. The Strategy identifies a clear role for universities in four of the six strategic priorities including: learning, skills and wellbeing; transition to a low carbon economy; creating a more supportive business environment;…
Joint ‘Statement of Common Cause on Scotland’s Universities’ published
Universities Scotland, NUS Scotland and UCU Scotland have today (Monday 5 September) published a ‘Statement of Common Cause on Scotland’s Universities’ outlining areas where we share a common interest for a university sector which is at the centre of an ambitious, successful Scotland. At the heart of the work of Universities Scotland, NUS Scotland, and…
Universities Scotland member RSAMD becomes Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
On 1 September 2011 the RSAMD changes its name to become the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. This is a significant new chapter in the story of one of Europe’s leading conservatoires. Founded in 1847, the RSAMD now provides specialist learning to the highest professional level in dance, drama, music, production, screen and education. As these…