On Tuesday 28 September 2021, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, hosted a group discussion with university students to celebrate the higher education sector’s achievement of the interim widening access target set by the Scottish Government. Ryan, a Masters student at Heriot-Watt University, participated in the discussion and said that applying to…
News
September
28
2021
University sector celebrates widening access progress with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, has met with university students to celebrate the higher education sector’s achievement of the interim widening access target set by the Scottish Government. Ms Somerville hosted a group discussion with students whose routes into university are considered non-traditional as a way of recognising the sector’s…
September
06
2021
Mental health and wellbeing is a top priority in the new academic year, say Principals and Student Union Presidents
The Principals and Student Union Presidents of Scotland’s 19 universities have issued an open letter to students assuring them that mental health and wellbeing is a top priority in the new academic year. The letter sets out to raise the visibility of general opportunities for wellbeing and preventative measures as well as more focused mental…
August
10
2021
Universities Scotland respond to Results Day across the UK
Universities Scotland has welcomed the publication of exam results across the country in what has been a very challenging time for school and college learners. Today’s UCAS data show: An increase in the entry rate of Scottish domiciled 18-year-olds going to university at 28% (an increase from 26.4% in 2020). A 12% increase in Scottish-domiciled…
August
06
2021
Scotland’s universities and their role in Olympic dreams
Professor Sir Gerry McCormac is Convener of Universities Scotland and Principal of the University of Stirling. He writes about the success of student athletes at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Competing at the Olympic or Paralympic Games is often the culmination of years – perhaps even a lifetime’s worth – of preparation and dedication to sport….
July
02
2021
Getting Results: Universities’ innovative partnerships with business will drive economic recovery
This week, we’ve had a series of guest blogs from Principals to mark a new report showcasing the role of Scottish universities in economic and social recovery. We’ve covered the role of education and skills development in supporting people, how university research changes lives and fuels growth, we’ve covered the way that the arts and wider…
July
01
2021
Getting Results: The New Social Contract
To mark a new report showcasing the role of Scottish universities in economic and social recovery, we’re publishing a series of blogs from Principals highlighting how higher education will deliver for Scotland over the next five years. Every day this week we’ll publish a blog from a Principal looking at a different area of contribution. The…
June
30
2021
Universities Scotland welcomes SFC’s Report on Widening Access 2019-20
Universities Scotland have welcomed the publication of the Report on Widening Access 2019-20 by the sector’s funding body, the Scottish Funding Council. The report states that: 16.4% of full-time first-degree entrants to university were from an SIMD20 background. This is an increase from 15.9% in 2018-19. This means that universities have met the Commission on…
June
30
2021
Getting Results: Addressing inequality in arts education must be a priority for the recovery
To mark a new report showcasing the role of Scottish universities in economic and social recovery, we’re publishing a series of blogs from Principals highlighting how higher education will deliver for Scotland over the next five years. Every day this week we’ll publish a blog from a Principal looking at a different area of contribution. The…
June
29
2021
Universities Scotland responds to SFC’s Coherence and Sustainability Review
Universities Scotland has welcomed the publication of Coherence and Sustainability: A review of Tertiary Education and Research by the sector’s funding body, the Scottish Funding Council. The report makes a number of recommendations for the Scottish Government to consider. The report was commissioned by the Scottish Government in June 2020 with Universities Scotland responding to…