The #CreativeSparks phase of MadeAtUni showcases the contribution of UK universities to the nation’s creative industries and future economic success. We’ve spoken to Principals about the far-reaching benefits of the creative and performing arts. First up is Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. We asked him how the performing arts, and…
News
December
20
2021
Universities Scotland comment on plans for blended learning in January 2022
Commenting on universities’ preparations for the new semester starting in January 2022, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “Universities have been working at level zero since September, which is a whole level more cautious than required of other sectors. In response to omicron, we’ve stepped up that level of caution again in the last…
December
09
2021
Universities respond to Scottish Government budget for higher education
Universities Scotland has responded to the Scottish Government’s budget for 2022/23 as published by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, today. The settlement is likely to mean a real-terms cut to core HE budgets for teaching and research as COVID consequential funding delivered last year to support activity including the delivery of graduate apprenticeships is discontinued with…
November
18
2021
Thriving Learners results will be invaluable
Professor Pamela Gillies is the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University and Lead Member for Mental Health at Universities Scotland. She has written for Universities Scotland on the publication of new research from Mental Health Foundation about student mental health. The Thriving Learners research study into student mental health from the Mental Health Foundation…
November
18
2021
Thriving Learners study into student mental health is published
The largest study into the mental health and wellbeing of students in Scotland has revealed nearly three quarters (74%) of university students surveyed reported having low wellbeing, according to the research published by Mental Health Foundation. The Thriving Learners study also found that more than one third of university students surveyed (36%) reported moderately severe…
November
16
2021
Colleges and unis unite for fair budget claim for students
College and university principals have come together to call on the Scottish Government to deliver for Scotland’s students in December’s budget. Audrey Cumberford, Chair of College Principals and Gerry McCormac, Convener of Universities Scotland have united in a call to the Scottish Government to deliver funding in the budget on 9 December to ensure college…
October
26
2021
Scotland’s SMEs boosted by university links
Universities are at the forefront of Scotland’s economic recovery from COVID-19 with their innovative partnerships with small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) being given a special focus. As part of a UK-wide campaign from Universities UK, Getting Results highlights the ways in which universities are aiding sustainable economic growth through their partnerships with businesses, charities…
October
05
2021
Widening access: Schools outreach is absolutely vital
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. Mitchell is a second-year student who applied to the University of St Andrews as a result of…
October
04
2021
Widening access: “Everybody’s got the right to higher education”
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. Hazel is a student at Edinburgh Napier University who gained entry through the access to nursing programme. Hazel says…
October
01
2021
Widening access: “Going to university is one of the best choices I’ve ever made”
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…