Responding to the Commissioner for Fair Access’s latest discussion paper, Access to Postgraduate Study: Representation and Destinations, Universities Scotland welcomes a conversation about access to postgraduate level study and supports collaborative thinking on improving this. Commenting on the report, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “Sir Peter said he wanted a serious conversation about…
News
December
19
2019
Business and universities stand ready to drive economic growth
Our Convener Professor Andrea Nolan reflects on the close partnership between business and universities and how she believes this relationship will continue to grow in the future. I fully believe Scotland has the vital ingredients to be a leading innovation nation. This ambition, recently reinforced by Professor Muscatelli’s National Mission report, is shared by highly…
December
18
2019
Business and universities pledge a closer partnership to drive Scotland’s economic growth
Universities Scotland and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) have published a joint statement of shared ambition for how organisations in the private, public and third sectors and universities can work together in new and closer ways to drive Scotland’s sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Both SCDI and Universities Scotland call on the…
December
10
2019
Scots back immigration policies that will help universities thrive, new poll shows
The overwhelming majority of Scottish people support immigration policies that will help universities to thrive according to new polling which Universities Scotland hope will influence the thinking of the next UK government. The next term of the UK Parliament will consider changes to the immigration system as suggested by the Migration Advisory Committee who are…
November
27
2019
Universities Scotland response to Professor Muscatelli’s report, Driving Innovation in Scotland
Responding to Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli’s review of universities’ collaboration with business, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “Professor Muscatelli’s report highlights some of the ways that universities contribute to Scotland’s economic growth and is focused on finding new ways to drive that role in economic growth even further. That’s an ambition shared by…
November
01
2019
Universities Scotland comment on investment in additional counsellors for universities
Responding to today’s (1 November) announcement by the Scottish Government that it will invest in 80 new counsellors across colleges and universities, Deputy Director of Universities Scotland, David Lott said: “The investment in counsellors for universities is a welcome one. Student mental health is incredibly important and we are delighted to be working across the…
October
23
2019
Universities Scotland response to EHRC report into racial harassment in higher education
Responding to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report on racial harassment in higher education, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland said: “The findings are stark and challenging for universities and we must turn to face those findings and recommendations head on. “We are committed to tackle racial harassment within universities. We will follow…
September
19
2019
Audit of university finances shows worrying picture of funding cuts and rising costs
Responding to a new audit of university finances, Universities Scotland’s Convener, Professor Andrea Nolan, has said that the next budget from the Scottish Government will be vital to the sustainability of the higher education sector. Audit Scotland’s report, Finances of Scottish Universities, published today (Thursday 19 September 2019) shows the financial picture for the country’s…
September
17
2019
Concern remains high in universities about no-deal Brexit
Every Scottish university who responded to a survey about preparedness for a no-deal Brexit said they are ‘very’ or ‘extremely concerned’ about the prospect, despite making the necessary preparations for such an eventuality. The analysis was undertaken by Universities UK who assessed its members’ preparedness for a no-deal Brexit ahead of the proposed exit date…
September
13
2019
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…