The 15-person strong steering group tasked with securing a sustainable and successful future for Scotland’s universities, through the Future Framework, has been announced today (Monday, 16 February). Scotland’s first ever holistic review of university funding since devolution was announced in late December as a joint initiative by Scottish Government and Universities Scotland. Today, the Co-Conveners…
News
February
12
2026
Scottish Government Spinouts report sets out integral role of universities in national research ecosystem
The Scottish Government yesterday published Ideas to Impact: Scottish Spinouts Report which sets out the strengths, ambition, and progress of its research commercialisation policies. The report sets out a framework of metrics to monitor progress of Scotland’s research commercialisation ecosystem, of which universities are an integral part, over the next five years. Commenting on the…
February
09
2026
Back universities for future economic success
With the public backing universities as key to future economic success, politicians are urged to back universities in May’s election 75 per cent of Scots agreed or strongly agreed that universities are key to the UK’s future economic success, according to public polling conducted across Scotland in January 2026 and published today (Monday, 9 February)….
January
20
2026
Graduate Apprenticeships; how making them more adaptable will benefit the learner, universities, employers, and the economy.
Since 2017, universities across the country have delivered Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) as an earn-and-learn route to getting a degree. Universities Scotland Head of Learning and Teaching Dr Kirsty Conlon reflects on graduate apprenticeships and how making them more adaptable will benefit the learner, universities, employers, and the economy. Graduate apprenticeships form an innovative element of vocational learning, delivered as part of a diverse skills landscape to students and in partnership with a…
January
13
2026
Universities respond to the Scottish Government budget for 2026/27
Responding to the Scottish Government’s settlement for university resource and capital budgets for 2026/27, Professor James Miller, Convener of Universities Scotland and Principal of the University of the West of Scotland said; “We recognise the fiscal pressures on the Scottish Government, therefore, a settlement for teaching that sits slightly above inflation is welcome. However, it…
December
18
2025
Joint Universities Scotland–Scottish Government Project Launches to Shape Future Funding Framework
Universities Scotland Convener, Prof James Miller shares his thoughts on the launch of the Future Funding Framework partnership. A major cross-party initiative to secure the long-term financial viability and sustainability of Scotland’s university sector has been launched today by Universities Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Government. The initiative marks one of the most substantial…
December
18
2025
Joint Framework announced to secure the future of Scotland’s universities for the next generation
The Scottish Government and Universities Scotland have today (Thursday 18 December) announced the launch of a new, joint process that will co-design a Framework for a successful and sustainable future for Scotland’s universities for the next 20 years. It is the first fundamental look at how to secure the sustainability of Scotland’s universities since 2010/11….
Universities Scotland welcomes the UK’s reassociation to Erasmus
Universities Scotland welcomes the UK’s reassociation to Erasmus Responding to today’s announcement that the UK will rejoin the Erasmus programme in 2027, Claire McPherson, Director of Universities Scotland said; “Today’s announcement that the UK will rejoin the Erasmus programme from 2027 is very welcome news, and something universities have been calling for since leaving the…
November
10
2025
Scotland’s Global Edge: A Small Nation with World-Leading Research Impact
Scotland’s research community continues to excel – producing world-class science, driving innovation, and shaping solutions to global challenges. New data from Elsevier reveal that Scotland’s researchers are among the most collaborative, impactful, and environmentally engaged in the world. This blog was kindly written by Dr Sarah Main, VP Academic & Government, UK, Elsevier. A Nation…
October
30
2025
Scotland highlights key assets for international education in new report
In partnership with the British Council Scotland, we have published a report in partnership ‘Scotland’s Higher Education: Partnering for Global Impact’. The report highlights the strengths of Scotland’s higher education system and the uniqueness Scotland’s institutions across five different assets. The assets where Scotland’s higher education system thrives nationally and globally are; Tradition of education…