Today, the Scottish Government launched Scotland’s first International Education Strategy at Edinburgh Napier University. We warmly welcome this announcement, which will allow Scotland’s world-leading universities to continue to thrive internationally and develop the contribution of universities to the Scottish society. Our International Committee Convener, Professor Andrea Nolan has said: “This Strategy has been highly anticipated…
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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…
New widening access data a cause for celebration in Scotland
Universities in Scotland have reached a significant milestone in their commitment to widen access, with the latest figures showing 16.4% of students were from SIMD20 backgrounds in the academic year 2019/20. The Commission on Widening Access recommended that 16% of students should be from SIMD20 backgrounds by 2021 with an overall aim to reach 20%…
Universities Scotland response to UUK’s Fair Admissions Review
Responding to Universities UK’s Fair Admissions Review recommendations, which aim to make university admissions fairer and more transparent, Universities Scotland Director Alastair Sim said: “Moves to make the university admissions process fairer, more consistent and transparent at UK level are most welcome. The next stage of consultation is crucially important: the devolved nations must be…
Scotland’s universities launch Consistent Core of Care for students during the pandemic
Scotland’s 19 universities and higher education institutions have today [Wednesday 30 September] confirmed a package of ten measures they are using to support student wellbeing, as students adjust to a different learning and wider student experience in the first semester of the academic year, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This will ensure that…
Scotland’s universities will need bespoke support from UK and Scottish Governments to get through COVID-19 crisis
Universities Scotland has today [Monday 4 May] responded to the UK Government’s announcement of a package of support measures for students and universities designed to respond to the unprecedented circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst further clarity is needed on some of the details of the package from a devolved perspective, today’s announcement is…
COVID-19
We have created this page in order to keep all the relevant information you need to know about higher education in Scotland and COVID-19 in one place. NEWS Universities Scotland responds to Scottish Government announcement of additional COVID funding [16 February 2021]. Read here. Universities Scotland responds to postponed return of students after Christmas break….
Vacancy: Senior Policy Officer (Research, Innovation & Health) – Maternity Cover
We have a maternity leave cover vacancy in our team for a Senior Policy Officer, leading on Research, Innovation and Health. As the successful applicant, you will work in an exciting role at the heart of higher education policy and across multiple areas of expertise, with a strong focus on universities’ research, innovation and knowledge…
Scotland’s universities stay open and introduce measures to minimise impact of COVID-19 on students and staff
Universities Scotland has today [Friday 13 March] issued a statement on behalf of Scotland’s 19 universities and higher education institutions to offer clarity on the sector’s preparedness for the potential impact of COVID-19. Commenting on the statement, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “Universities have no plans to close. They are closely following the…
Student survey shows huge support for the value of university education
New research shows that a large majority of students and recent graduates believe that going to university is valuable experience and are positive about the benefits of a university degree. Research by ComsRes for Universities UK found that students and graduates recognise that universities broadens their horizons, with 83% of respondents agreeing that university helps…