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Retaining talent in Scotland: First Minister’s migration aspirations

In a speech in Glasgow today (Wednesday, 22 January) First Minister John Swinney spoke to his aspiration to work with the UK Government to develop migration policy that would help to support Scotland’s future workforce and population needs, thereby boosting economic prosperity. The outline policy proposal sees Scotland-specific dimensions to the retention of highly skilled…

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AI opportunities action plan: responding to the UK Government launch

The UK Government has today launched its AI opportunities action plan following the commission of the Clifford Review. The Government has accepted all 50 recommendations from the Review. Responding to the UK Government’s announcement of the AI Opportunities Action Plan on Monday 13 January, Claire McPherson, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Scottish universities are at the…

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Sir Paul Grice confirmed as Interim Convener

Following Professor Gillespie’s decision to step down as Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Dundee last week, it has been confirmed that Sir Paul Grice will serve as Interim Convener. Confirming the news, Claire McPherson, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Sir Paul Grice has kindly agreed to serve as Universities Scotland’s Interim Convener,…

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Universities respond to Scottish Government budget for 2025/26

Responding to the Scottish Government’s settlement for university resource and capital budgets for 2025/26, Claire McPherson, Director of Universities Scotland has said: “The Scottish Government has responded to the sector’s request to re-direct £14million of existing spend, from covid-era student places, to increase the amount which can be spent on each student place. We welcome…

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Universities revise budget bid to Scottish Government upwards as there is no scope to absorb increased costs

We have taken the unprecedented step of increasing our 2025/26 budget ask of the Scottish Government. Since we submitted this in September, there have been two significant changes in our funding environment. Firstly, the announcement in the UK Government’s autumn budget that there would be an increase in employer National Insurance Contributions (ENIC) 2025/26. We have…

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Academic year 2025/26: an increase in tuition fees and maintenance loans in England

On Monday 4 November, the Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson announced that tuition fees in England would increase by 3.1% from £9,250 to £9,535 in academic year 2025/26 and there will be an increase in maintenance loans, in line with inflation. Responding to this announcement, a spokesperson from Universities Scotland has said; “England…

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Scotland’s universities still have another budget to contend with

With the UK Government’s budget now delivered, November sees a frenzied month of activity for the Scottish Government as it crunches numbers ahead of its own budget for 2025/26, to be announced on 4 December, writes Universities Scotland Director Claire McPherson. Spare a thought for Scotland’s universities, facing the prospect of all that pre-budget speculation…

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Our 40 Faces campaign & reaffirming our commitment to widening access

This week, the Cabinet Secretary for Education Jenny Gilruth, the Commissioner for Fair Access and representatives from across higher education came together at a special event to celebrate Universities Scotland’s “40 Faces” campaign. Universities Scotland’s Senior Public Affairs and Communications Officer Lauren Wards explains why progress towards Scotland’s ambitious widening access target cannot be made…

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Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review method: QAA consultation

Universities Scotland’s Learning & Teaching Committee wrote a letter to QAA relating to QAA Scotland’s consultation on the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER) method. This letter is a collective high-level response has been shared with QAA. Many institutions will also be responding directly with more detailed responses to the questions. The LTC response covers a…

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New report shows the extent of universities’ role in driving economic growth in Scotland

New data reveals the economic impact delivered by Scotland’s 19 universities and higher education institutions at £17.1 billion and highlights that Scotland’s higher education sector offers a better economic return on public investment made in research and innovation than anywhere else in the UK, except London, with a benefit-to-cost ratio of nearly 11:1. As the…

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