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…
News
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,…
December
04
2017
Scholarships worth a total of £6 million available to students from India
Students from India studying in Scotland have access to more than £6million in international scholarships with over £1million ringfenced to specifically attract outstanding Indian students, Universities Scotland has revealed. As a delegation of Scotland’s higher education leaders accompany Scotland’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney on an official visit to India, Universities Scotland can…
December
04
2017
Building partnerships between India and Scotland
Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland: “What a privilege to be in Mumbai to showcase the best of Scottish universities and build new partnerships between Scotland and India. “I’m out here with university leaders and the Deputy First Minister. The most exciting thing for me is how everything we’ve showcased has been about partnerships to…
December
01
2017
Scotland’s Universities Welcome India
A delegation of 21 senior leaders from Scotland’s higher education sector are accompanying Deputy First Minister John Swinney on an official visit to India today, December 1 2017. The mission, a joint venture between the Scottish Government, British Council, Scottish Development International and Universities Scotland, will meet with key Indian government officials, education policymakers and business…
November
13
2017
Emboldened to deliver more on access to HE
Big challenges require bold action. One of Scotland’s biggest challenges is the need to address the inequality that exists in our society and in our education sector. Whoever we are, we all have an interest in ensuring that our future is rid of the shameful statistic that by the time a child reaches five, there…