Today (25 January), all 19 higher education institutions across Scotland have come together to back a new campaign to welcome students from around the world. Scotland’s universities are already home to over 180 different nationalities among their students and staff. The new, global campaign, ‘Scotland’s universities welcome the world’ celebrates that and the diversity and…
News
January
12
2017
Universities Scotland comment on latest HESA student figures
The latest figures for Higher education student enrolment and qualifications obtained at higher education providers in the United Kingdom 2015/16 have been released by HESA. The total number of enrolments at higher education institutes in Scotland was 235,565 in 2015/16, a 1% increase from 2014/15 for both undergraduate and postgraduate enrolment. The enrolment of UK…
Response to Department for Education consultation on postgraduate doctoral loans
At Budget 2015, the UK Government announced its intention to review how to broaden and strengthen support for postgraduate research and subsequently published a consultation on support for postgraduate study. This consultation took place in November and December 2016. Professor Sir Tim O’Shea responded on behalf of Universities Scotland in his capacity as the Convener…
January
05
2017
Commitment to widening access confirmed by Principals appointed to head work streams
Universities Scotland is delighted to announce the three leading Principals will develop the next stage of the widening access agenda as delivered by the university sector. • Work on Admissions will be led by Professor Sally Mapstone, Principal of University of St Andrews • Work on Articulation will be led by Susan Stewart, Director of…
January
05
2017
University chief appeals to UK Government to promote, not punish, higher education as an important export sector
The Convener of Universities Scotland has called on the UK Government to help promote, not punish, universities’ role in exporting internationally ahead of a consultation on international students expected early in the New Year. Figures show that the value of international exports from Scotland’s university sector stand at £444 million based on the direct fee…
Briefing on Scottish Government Draft Budget 2017/18
Ahead of the Education and Skills Committee meeting of Wednesday 21 December, Universities Scotland prepared a briefing for members of the committee. The briefing gives an overview of the Scottish Government Draft Budget for 2017/18 from the perspective of Universities Scotland. You can read the briefing here.
December
20
2016
Response to Scottish Government paper: Scotland’s Place in Europe
Universities Scotland has responded to the publication of Scotland’s Place in Europe, the Scottish Government’s position following the result of the EU referendum, as released earlier today. Commenting on the paper, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland and Principal of Edinburgh Napier University said: “Higher education transcends borders. Our relationships with Europe, European universities…
December
16
2016
Universities Scotland welcome Professor Peter Scott as Commissioner for Fair Access
Responding to news that Professor Peter Scott has been appointed by the Scottish Government as the first ever Commissioner on Fair Access, Universities Scotland Convener, Professor Andrea Nolan said: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Scott as the Commissioner for Fair Access. It is an important appointment and we look forward to working closely with…
December
15
2016
Response to the Scottish Government budget for 2017/18
The Scottish Government published its budget for 2017/18 today. The budget outlines a resource settlement of £1,013.9 million for higher education. Responding to the Scottish Government’s budget for higher education resource in 2017/18, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland said: “We recognise that the Scottish Government has tried to offer protection of higher education…
December
14
2016
Scottish higher education urges the Scotland Office to make positive case on immigration policy in light of Brexit
Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland, has called on the Scotland Office today (Wednesday 14 December) to work with Scottish higher education to make a case to the UK Government that positive change is needed to immigration policy to ensure that international talent can come to study in Scotland’s universities and remain after graduation…