A new report published today [Thursday 21st March] by the European Universities Association (EUA) has categorised Scotland’s university sector as “a declining system under pressure” based on the pace of funding cuts over the long-term. The latest Public Funding Observatory Report 2018 compares the level of public resource invested in universities in countries across Europe….
News
March
19
2019
Life-changing research at Scottish universities could be days away from stalling
Universities Scotland and Universities UK are calling on the government to take urgent steps to prevent Scotland from losing out on hundreds of millions of pounds worth of research grants if there is a no-deal Brexit. Academics across the country are set to find out whether they have been awarded funding from the latest round…
March
18
2019
Our work on mental health
We know mental health is on a continuum and we are looking today, on University Mental Health Day, at our current work on student mental health in Scotland. Professor Pamela Gillies (Principal of Glasgow Caledonian University) is the Lead Member for Mental Health at Universities Scotland. She has convened a sector wide group with representatives…
March
07
2019
Retention rates at Scottish Universities improve for fourth consecutive year
Responding to the latest HESA data release on non-continuation of studies, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “This is now the second year in a row where the retention rate in Scotland is better than the UK average. This is significant and a cause for celebration. Universities have dedicated significant time and effort to…
February
28
2019
University funding cuts deeper than expected for half of institutions
The Scottish Funding Council has today (Thursday, 28 February) announced its indicative funding allocations for universities for academic year 2019/20. This is the first time funding allocations have been published for individual institutions following the Scottish Government’s budget announcement on 12 December 2018, which announced a real terms cut of 1.79 per cent to the…
February
14
2019
Scotland’s universities introduce minimum entry requirements
Over the past 18 months, universities across Scotland have been working to review their minimum entry requirements as one of the sector’s actions in Working to Widen Access. In the coming weeks, prospectuses from our 19 members will be published where minimum entry requirements for applicants from an SIMD20 background will be set out. Alastair Sim,…
February
07
2019
Universities Scotland welcomes encouraging rise in under-represented applicants
Responding to today’s UCAS 2019 cycle applicant figures (January deadline), Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Today’s figures show that the work undertaken by universities to widen access is continuing to get results. Those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds saw a 2% increase in number of applicants, bucking the trend as applicants from other…
January
23
2019
Universities Scotland welcomes Scottish Science Advisory Council report
Universities Scotland has welcomed a new report from the Scottish Science Advisory Council which assesses Scotland’s Science Landscape . Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland: “The report demonstrates that Scotland is a world leader in research. Examples of this are the fact that Scottish publications are on average 88% more cited than the global average…
January
17
2019
Universities in Scotland making good progress on widening access
Responding to today’s HESA data release on Higher Education Student Statistics: UK, 2017/18, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Scottish universities’ commitment to widening access is intrinsic to the values of higher education. Universities have accelerated their work on widening access, and this is delivering results: a 20% increase over five years in students…
December
19
2018
Universities Scotland comments on immigration white paper
Responding to the Home Office’s white paper on immigration, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “The white paper on immigration highlights many of the benefits that immigration provides across the country. However we remain concerned that UK immigration policy post-Brexit will make it more difficult to attract talent to our nation. “Mobility of talent…