The Scottish Government’s 2024/25 budget, published on 19 December has indicated there will be £28.5 million of cuts to the university teaching grant. This leaves universities with tough choices to be made as funding continues to erode within the sector. Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland: “The budget outcome for universities means there’s a need…
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Universities Scotland respond to the Scottish Government’s budget for 2024/25
Universities Scotland has responded to the Scottish Government’s budget for financial year 2024/25 which was published on Tuesday 19th December. For higher education, the budget means: cash cuts of 5.9% to university resource budgets (or a cut of £48.5 million) which primarily covers the cost of teaching Scottish domiciled students.* a 4.7% increase to the…
Donation to Cara this Christmas
This year, rather than sending out Christmas cards, Universities Scotland have made a donation to Cara (Council for At-Risk Academics) in recognition and to support the important work they do. Cara provides urgently-needed help to academics in immediate danger, those forced into exile, and many who choose to work on in their home countries despite…
Scotland’s universities collaborate on unprecedented approach to student data as part of ongoing commitment to tackle gender based violence
Scotland’s universities collaborate on unprecedented approach to student data as part of ongoing commitment to tackle gender based violence Scotland’s universities have announced a new common baseline approach to the collection and processing of personal student data relating to relevant unspent criminal convictions and relevant criminal charges. The data will be used to improve student…
Global international higher education event comes to Scotland
Some 400 higher education leaders from around the world will debate the future of international higher education at an event in Edinburgh this week. Going Global, organised by the British Council, will focus on the increasing demand across the world for higher and further education. The event will address how the sector can better tackle…
Executive search begins as Alastair Sim announces his intention to move on
Universities Scotland is seeking a new Director. Alastair Sim, the current Director, is leaving Universities Scotland (US) after 14 years’ of outstanding service. Responding to Alastair’s planned departure in 2024, Professor Iain Gillespie, Convener of Universities Scotland and the Principal of the University of Dundee, said: “Alastair has given an astonishing amount of commitment to Universities…
International collaboration to continue under Horizon Europe deal
Universities Scotland “delighted” by UK’s return to Horizon Europe Universities Scotland have welcomed today’s announcement that the UK will associate to the Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes for the remainder of this programme (until 2027). Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion. Over the…
84% of Scottish graduates say going to university got them the job they wanted
Research from Universities Scotland highlights the value of going to university, including that: 84.5% of Scottish graduates credit their university with helping them gain employment 74% of Scottish graduates found a job reflective of their ambitions in under a year thanks to their degree 75% of business leaders believe going to university enables graduates to…
Widening access success as record number of students enter university
Interim targets on widening access met Increased numbers of widening access, care experienced and disabled students entering university An increase in the proportion of students coming to university from college Universities Scotland has welcomed the release of the Report on Widening Access 2021-22 by the Scottish Funding Council. Commenting on the report, Alastair Sim, Director…
Principals welcome progress on association to Horizon Europe and urge the Prime Minister to bring back a deal
Three leading Principals of Scotland’s universities have written jointly to the Prime Minister to welcome his Government’s work to reach the final stages of a deal on the UK’s association to the Horizon Europe programme. Speculation has been growing that the Prime Minister is set to finalise a proposal over the weekend, to then be…