It’s a big day for thousands of Scotland’s academics. It’s also a big day for Scotland. For the first time since 2008, all the best academic research in the UK has been independently evaluated. Scotland has performed outstandingly well with over three-quarters of all research submitted judged as being world-leading or internationally excellent. This is…
News
December
18
2014
UK research assessment finds Scotland’s higher education sector is ‘world-class’ and delivering outstanding impact
Today (Thursday 18 December) sees the publication of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 results for all 154 higher education institutions across the UK. Key findings for Scotland: Every one of Scotland’s 18* higher education institutions undertakes research judged to be of “world-leading” quality. The higher education sector in Scotland submitted research to all 36…
November
21
2014
Universities Scotland responds to Scottish Government Cabinet reshuffle
Responding to the news of the Scottish Government Cabinet reshuffle which sees Angela Constance MSP replace Michael Russell in the role of Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Pete Downes, Convener of Universities Scotland said: “We look forward to working with Angela Constance in the role of Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning….
November
17
2014
Universities and business unite in call for Smith Commission to seize the opportunity to craft an immigration policy that meets Scotland’s needs
Scotland’s universities and business leaders have united together in calling upon the Smith Commission to seize the opportunity and ensure that partial devolution of immigration policy is included as an additional power for Scotland in the Heads of Agreement to be reached by the end of this month. The staff, students and principals at Scotland’s…
November
07
2014
Higher education governance: University sector committed to excellence and accountability
University leaders today: Demonstrated the high standards of transparency, accountability and effectiveness of current higher education governance arrangements in a Code which establishes a ‘new normal’ of excellence Commented on the Scottish Government’s consultation about proposed legislation on higher education governance. Excellence in governance: report on implementation of new standards The Committee of the Chairs…
November
04
2014
Universities Scotland welcomes progress to widen access and improve retention
Universities Scotland responded to widening access data published by the Scottish Funding Council today (Tuesday 4 November) in Learning for All by welcoming the progress the report shows on access and retention. Learning for All presents annual statistics on widening access in the college and university sector. The 2014 report shows an increase in the…
September
19
2014
Universities Scotland responds to the result of the referendum on Scottish independence
Responding to the result of the referendum on Scottish independence, as declared on 19 September 2014, Professor Pete Downes, the Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “The electorate has made its choice and we fully respect the decision they have made for Scotland’s future. “The university sector is proud to be rooted firmly in Scotland and…
August
07
2014
Universities: the ‘can do’ sector
Earlier this year the Scottish Government published, ‘Scotland Can Do’, its framework to make Scotland a world-leading innovative nation. Universities are at the heart of that aim. A key sector of the economy in its own right, with an economic impact of over £6bn each year, Scotland has more world class universities per head of…
August
05
2014
Scotland’s students and graduates record phenomenal medal success as part of Team Scotland
Universities Scotland has today, Tuesday 5 August, revealed that 19 Scottish university students and graduates won medals for Team Scotland during the XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The student and graduate athletes brought home a total of 23 medals between them, including eight Gold, nine Silver and six Bronze. An analysis published as the Games…
August
04
2014
Great day for Scots as over 1,000 more students accepted into university
Over 1,000 more Scots had secured a place at university in Scotland as of midnight last night [Monday 4 August] compared to the same time last year. 23,780 Scots had been placed at universities across Scotland, compared with 22,770 in 2013. This equates to an increase of four per cent compared to the same time…