Jayde O’Connor is a fourth-year Psychology student at Glasgow Caledonian University. At our parliamentary reception on Tuesday 6 February, Jayde relayed her experience of the challenges she faced getting into university as a result of very difficult family circumstances in her teens. Watch or read a transcript of her inspiring speech: width=”560″ height=”315″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> Hi,…
News
February
06
2018
Young Scots give their support to work to widen access
2018 is the Year of Young People and it is also a year which will see a really busy programme of work taken forward by universities to widen access. Late last year we set out 15 actions in Working to Widen Access that we believe will deliver a big step forward in widening access. 2018…
February
05
2018
Universities Scotland comments on latest UCAS application figures
Commenting on today’s UCAS application figures for 2018 entry, Universities Scotland spokesperson said: “Today’s figures show that demand for Scottish higher education remains very high. This means that there will be no let-up in the fierce competition for places amongst applicants. “We have seen a fall in applications from those from the most deprived areas of…
February
01
2018
Universities Scotland comments on Ministerial Statement on EU students
Responding to the news the Scottish Government will continue to fund EU students up to the 2019-20 student cohort, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland said: “We welcome today’s news that EU students starting in 2019-20 will have the cost of their tuition met by the Scottish Government. We are delighted that the Scottish…
January
02
2018
Convener’s hopes for 2018
Our Convener, Professor Andrea Nolan shares her hopes for 2018 in our first blog of the year. Happy New Year from me and everyone at Universities Scotland. In lieu of New Year’s Resolutions, I thought there was some merit in sharing my hopes for 2018. The year will, much like last year, have Brexit looming…
December
20
2017
Opportunities from the Industrial Strategy
Ruth Meyer is a Senior Policy Officer covering Research, Health and Knowledge Exchange here at Universities Scotland. After digesting the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy paper, Ruth blogs about the opportunities that exist for Scotland. The UK Government’s white paper on the Industrial Strategy was published last month and there are loads of reasons to be cheerful….
December
18
2017
Universities Scotland comments on extension of Tier 4 pilot scheme
Responding to the news that the Home Office intends to expand the Tier 4 visa pilot to a further 23 institutions for students on a Masters’ course, including University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland said: It’s good to see the Home Office expanding the Tier 4 visa…
December
14
2017
Universities Scotland responds to Scottish Government budget for 2018/19
The Finance Secretary, Derek Mackay, has announced a revenue budget for higher education institutions of £1,024.9 million in 2018/19 which is a 1.1 per cent increase in higher education revenue spending, compared to the previous year. This increase to the revenue budget should enable the real terms protection of universities’ Teaching Grant, which was our…
December
13
2017
Our response to latest Report from the Commissioner for Fair Access
The Commissioner for Fair Access has published his first annual report this morning (13 December 2017). The Commissioner’s first annual report on access is both challenging, interesting and useful. We’d expect nothing less. Universities will give his set of 23 new recommendations urgent and full consideration. On first sight, there appears to be lots…
December
08
2017
Universities launch campaign to promote the real value of the Teaching Grant
Scotland’s 19 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have today launched a campaign, ahead of the Scottish Government’s budget next week, highlighting the importance of the higher education Teaching Grant. The positive campaign, the real value of T, raises awareness and understanding of the importance of the higher education Teaching Grant through the stories of ten staff,…