The number of Scottish-domiciled applicants securing a higher education place at one of Scotland’s universities has increased by three per cent in 2015 compared to the same time last year, with 24,000 placed applicants on Higher results day [Tuesday 4 August].
News
Scotland’s universities proud to produce graduates with the best record of professional level jobs in the UK
Data published today, 25 June 2015, by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education in the United Kingdom for the academic year 2013/14 showed that graduates from Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions have the best record of professional level jobs in the UK. Today’s figures also show: The proportion…
June
17
2015
Good governance remains the priority for Principals as new HE Governance Bill introduced
As a new Bill on higher education governance is introduced to Holyrood today (Wednesday 17 June) university leaders said their priority would be working with politicians and stakeholders to ensure the final legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament is consistent with good governance with strong lines of accountability. Universities Scotland will give the Bill close…
June
15
2015
Congratulations to Pete Downes on his knighthood
Universities Scotland’s Convener, Professor Pete Downes has received a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list published on Saturday 13 June. Professor Downes has been Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee since 2009 and is currently serving his second term as Convener of Universities Scotland. Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “Professor…
May
21
2015
Alastair Sim: Higher education must remain central
The seventh of May was an extraordinary night. A Conservative majority in Westminster and a landslide victory of 56 SNP MPs means the next five years promises to be anything but dull. Universities Scotland congratulates every Scottish MP, new and returned, and the SNP on achieving such a remarkable result. As higher education is almost…
April
29
2015
Commission on Widening Access – membership and first meeting
Universities Scotland has welcomed the publication of the full membership of the Scottish Government’s Widening Access Commission ahead of its first meeting today (Wednesday 29 April). The Principals of two Scottish higher education institutions – Professor Anton Muscatelli, Principal of the University of Glasgow, and Professor Petra Wend, Principal of Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh –…
April
20
2015
Scotland’s HE sector to pay staff the living wage
The Principals of Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions have confirmed that they intend to pay the living wage to staff. Each Principal confirmed their intention to pay the living wage at their institution during Universities Scotland’s Committee of Principals on Wednesday, 15 April 2015. Every member of staff covered by collective pay agreements at Scotland’s…
April
12
2015
Pete Downes: There are big risks in tying universities up in red tape
In the rush to get things done, sometimes the best approach is to pause, take a step back and revisit what it is you are hoping to achieve. The responses to the Scottish Government’s consultation on higher education governance legislation are a clear indication that the Scottish Government should do exactly that. They make for…
April
09
2015
University principals ask the Scottish Government to stop and think about potentially damaging governance proposals in light of strong concern from civic Scotland
Business leaders, student associations and other independent commentators have added weight to the serious concern already expressed by university leaders at Scottish Government proposals to legislate on higher education governance. The Scottish Government has published an analysis of the written responses to its consultation on higher education governance today (Thursday 9 April). Over 125 submissions…
April
09
2015
University Chairs commit to a minimum of 40 per cent of both genders on boards
The Chairs of Scotland’s 18 higher education institutions[1] have today [Thursday, 9 April] announced a commitment to achieve gender equality within the membership of their governing bodies, the highest level of governance within a university. The commitment to achieve a minimum of 40 per cent of both men and women on the governing body [2],…