Universities Scotland is proud that our member institutions are host to over 28,000 students from outside the UK. They are an important part of our university community, and the breadth of their contribution to Scotland’s social and cultural life was summarised in Richer for It. Scottish students benefit from learning alongside international peers, and our…
News
September
22
2016
Officially one of the best higher education sectors in the world
The Times Higher has published the 2017 world university rankings. Five Scottish universities feature in the top 200 and another 7 universities feature in the list which represents the best 5 per cent of universities in the world. Commenting on the rankings, a spokesperson said: “With five universities in the world’s top 200 and 12…
September
09
2016
Scottish Government Capital Stimulus for HE very welcome news
Higher education is to receive £25 million of the Scottish Government’s new £100m Capital Stimulus Package. The details were announced in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government for 2016-17 on Tuesday 6 September. Responding to the announcement Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “Universities are delighted to be one of the recipients of the…
September
08
2016
Seizing the opportunities presented in the Blueprint for Fairness
Dame Ruth Silver led the work of the Commission on Widening Access over 2015-16 and its final report, A Blueprint for Fairness. The Blueprint, published in March this year, made 32 recommendations focused on widening access to university and reaching the First Minister’s aspiration that a child born in 2015 in the most deprived areas of…
September
06
2016
University commitment to review admissions to improve access
Today (6th September) The Herald reported on universities’ commitment to review their admissions systems, one of the three work streams Universities Scotland is taking forward as part of our response to the Commission on Widening Access. Speaking to the Herald, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “Universities are saying they will do more to…
August
31
2016
Futures not Backgrounds
Universities Scotland has set out its response to the Blueprint for Fair Access, the report of the Commission on Widening Access produced in March 2016. University leaders are to take forward three broad areas of work that address a number of the recommendations made by the Commission. Work will start straight away on a review…
August
16
2016
Universities Scotland responds to the Scottish Government’s Enterprise and Skills Review
We have been pleased to respond to a call for evidence from Economy Secretary Keith Brown MSP, as part of the end-to-end review of enterprise and skills support in Scotland that he is leading. Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions are committed to delivering impact in Scotland and the wider world and want to work as…
August
09
2016
Results day brings university success for Scots
Higher results day has brought good news for Scottish students today (Tuesday 9 August) with a 5 per cent increase in the number of Scots accepted into a Scottish university for 2016/17 academic year compared to the same point last year. As of midnight last night 28,300 Scottish students had accepted a place at one…
August
02
2016
Response to Home Office Tier 4 visa pilot for international students
Universities Scotland was asked for comment on the UK Government’s new pilot exercise on the Tier 4 visa scheme open to international students who have studied masters programmes in four UK universities. Details of the scheme can be found on p93 of this Home Office guidance. A spokesperson from Universities Scotland said: “We welcome the fact…
Professor Andrea Nolan announced as Convener of Universities Scotland
Universities Scotland, the organisation which represents all 19 of Scotland’s higher education institutions welcomes Professor Andrea Nolan as its Convener for a period of two years, from today, 1 August 2016 to 31 July 2018. Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at Edinburgh Napier University, was elected to the post by her peer group of…