The UK Government has today confirmed that the graduate route will remain in place for international students of all UK universities. The graduate route allows international students to remain in the UK upon graduation for two years (on average) after successful completing a relevant course in the UK. The UK Government had been expected to…
News
May
22
2024
Will Whitehorn: The importance of the graduate route to the UK
Published in The Times today, Will Whitehorn outlines the importance of the graduate route to the UK, determining that it should remain as it is. He highlights that the removal or reform of the graduate route would have a negative impact on university finances immediately, and a damaging impact on industry, on growth, on innovation…
May
14
2024
Universities Scotland responds to the Migration Advisory Committee’s report on the Graduate Route for international students
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has today, published its report evaluating the Graduate Route, as part of student immigration, as commissioned by the UK Government earlier this year. The key recommendation, one of six in the report, is that the Graduate Route should be retained in its current form. The MAC was asked to review…
May
14
2024
Joint letter warns of risks to Scottish economy if migrations rules are tightened
We, with Scottish Cities Alliance, have written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak regarding our concerns of the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) review of the graduate route, and the implications increased migration controls would have on international students. We emphasise that the economic benefits that international students bring to Scotland go far beyond universities as they…
May
10
2024
Scotland’s universities demonstrate integrity in international recruitment with adoption of the UK Agent Quality Framework
17 of Scotland’s universities and higher education institutions have pledged adoption of the UK Agent Quality Framework, making a strong commitment to integrity and transparency in the use of international agents. The move seeks to uphold the highest standards in international recruitment and therefore reassure prospective and current students, the public and politicians, where universities’…
May
07
2024
International links: importance and strengthening of Scotland’s relationships
Ela Kossakowska, our Connected Scotland project officer, has written a blog about an event led by Connected Scotland with Scotland’s Universities International Group (SUIG), hosted at Scotland House in London, with the aim of building and strengthening Scotland’s international relationships. Connected Scotland and SUIG once again invited education and culture attaches and sponsors to Scotland…
April
18
2024
“Toughest Funding Settlement” as the SFC’s AY 2024/25 Indicative Allocations are published
Universities Scotland responds to the publication of the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) academic year 2024/25 indicative allocations to universities and higher education institutions. Professor Iain Gillespie, Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “This is by far the toughest funding settlement universities have faced, as £28.5 million of Government cuts had to be found from next year’s…
April
15
2024
University students from underrepresented backgrounds highlight importance of the access agenda and the need to achieve the 2030 access goals
Universities Scotland, which represents Scotland’s 19 universities and higher education institutions, has today (Monday, 15 April) unveiled a new campaign on widening access, called “40 Faces”. The campaign gives a platform for 40 non-traditional students and graduates to share their experience of university and set out their perspectives on what is key to achieving Scotland’s…
March
28
2024
Revealed: Manifesto to maximise growth and opportunities
Universities Scotland, which represents 19 universities and higher education institutions across Scotland reveal their manifesto asks in anticipation of the UK General Election. The manifesto asks the next UK government to make policy and funding decisions in ways that maximise the positive economic and social impact Scotland delivers as part of the UK. Higher education…
March
20
2024
We need a serious conversation on HE funding
Departing Universities Scotland after 15 years, Director Alastair Sim suggests there should be a serious conversation on funding that shares our national values, focusing on socially just solutions and holds common ground between the sector and government. As I leave Universities Scotland after 15 years as Director, I don’t want to focus on the past….