Universities Scotland Director, Claire McPherson, takes the positives and some policy lessons from the 2025 National Student Survey results, as published on 9 July. The National Student Survey results for 2025 are out and the top line is that our students are happy with their experience of higher education in Scotland. In the 2025 survey,…
News
June
25
2025
Prosper puts universities at the heart of policy recommendations underpinning growth in turbulent times
Universities are a key part of Scotland’s growth plan for turbulent times Prosper, Scotland’s membership organisation for all sectors and all industries, has today (25 June) published a new policy blueprint focused on unlocking growth in turbulent times. Framed within three national priorities of achieving a stronger economy, a Scotland where we get things done…
June
19
2025
Response to the Gillies’ report into the University of Dundee
The Scottish Funding Council commissioned Professor Pamela Gillies and professional services firm BDO to lead an independent investigation into the University of Dundee. The full report can be found on the Funding Council’s website. Responding to the report, Claire McPherson, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Professor Gillies’ report makes for very difficult but important reading…
May
27
2025
Yorkshire Universities: Reflections on Universities and Regional Economic Conference May 2025
Universities Scotland convened cross sector representatives at a “Universities and regional economic development” conference last week to develop a shared understanding of how universities are currently contributing to regional economic growth, and how they can most effectively contribute to thriving Scottish regions in the future. The importance of shared learning and collaboration was a key…
May
12
2025
UK Government immigration white paper; impact on Scotland’s universities
Following the publication of the UK Government’s immigration white paper, we have responded detailing the affects of today’s announcement on Scotland’s universities. UPDATE: Since publication of the Immigration White Paper on 12 May, the Scotland Office has confirmed that a decision on the applicability of the levy is to be devolved to the Scottish Government….
April
15
2025
Are we fair yet?
Rebecca Curran-Scarlett, Senior Policy & Information Officer at Lead Scotland shares the lived experience of disabled people in the university admissions process and why the Guarantee of Fairness and Guide for Disabled learners is so important in their application journey to university. In 2019, we launched a campaign to make access to university fairer for…
April
03
2025
University funding allocations for 2025/26 do not give the sector the financial support needed at a time when it has never been more necessary
The Scottish Funding Council has today (Thursday, 4 April) published its funding allocations for universities for academic year 2025/26. This follows the Scottish Government’s budget settlement for universities as announced in December. The allocations set out teaching funding for Scottish undergraduates, research and innovation funding and other, smaller grants. Total teaching funding allocated to universities…
March
25
2025
University of the West of Scotland Principal, Professor James Miller FRSE, is elected Universities Scotland’s next Convener
The next Convener of Universities Scotland, the representative organisation for Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions, will be Professor James Miller FRSE who will take up the role for a period of two years, from 1 August 2025. Professor Miller is Principal & Vice-Chancellor at the University of the West of Scotland and is elected to…
March
20
2025
New student data from HESA shows sudden, sharp falls in international students coming to Scotland’s universities
New data on university students out today for academic year 2023/24 confirms the fall in international numbers as experienced by universities across Scotland and the UK. In total, the number of international (non-EU) students coming to Scotland in 2023/24, compared to the previous year, dropped by just short of 10,000 (9,380). The sharpest fall amongst…
January
22
2025
Retaining talent in Scotland: First Minister’s migration aspirations
In a speech in Glasgow today (Wednesday, 22 January) First Minister John Swinney spoke to his aspiration to work with the UK Government to develop migration policy that would help to support Scotland’s future workforce and population needs, thereby boosting economic prosperity. The outline policy proposal sees Scotland-specific dimensions to the retention of highly skilled…