Commenting on today’s statistics from UCAS, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “There has been a lot of speculation about university places this year. Today’s snap-shot figures from UCAS provide some necessary perspective on the current situation. Places available to Scottish students at Scottish universities have held steady. The conversion rate this year of acceptances is actually…
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Scottish universities are still open to Scottish students in clearing
A number of Scottish universities still have places remaining in clearing for Scottish and EU students for entry this year (as of Friday, 17 August). Clearing places are available to Scottish and EU students on courses as varied as business, engineering, science, computing and subjects linked to the creative industries. Clearing for Scottish students opened…
Universities Scotland announces new Convener for 2012/14
Universities Scotland, the body which represents Scotland’s universities, today (1 August) announced the appointment of Professor Pete Downes as its Convener for the period 1 August 2012 to 31 July 2014. It was also confirmed that Professor Petra Wend has been appointed as Vice-Convener for the same period. Professor Downes, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the…
Universities Scotland responds to Citizens Advice Scotland report on graduate employment
Responding to the Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) report published on 27 July, Universities Scotland’s Director, Alastair Sim said: “The results of the Citizens Advice survey are statistically invalid. The survey, and all media coverage to promote it, was deliberately and unashamedly targeted at graduates who have struggled to find work. Therefore, it is completely…
Graduates in Scotland Have Best Employment Prospects in the UK – Motion S4M-03647 lodged in the Scottish Parliament
Graduates in Scotland Have Best Employment Prospects in the UK That the Parliament notes the publication of Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) 2010/11 by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in June 2012; further notes HESA’s publication of Employment indicators 2010/11 in July 2012; welcomes the findings that Scotland had the highest rate…
Alastair Sim: UCAS admissions data commentary
“When it comes to admissions, student behaviour has been impossible to predict this year given the vast scale of changes to student fees and finance across the UK and greater-than-ever divergence between the nations when it comes to fees. “UCAS’s comprehensive end-of-year analysis, which runs to over 60 pages, aims to shed some light on…
Statistics show graduates from Scotland’s universities have the best prospects in the UK
National Statistics published today (28 June) by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show graduates from Scotland’s universities have the highest level of positive destinations, the highest starting salaries and the lowest levels of unemployment in the UK six months after graduation. The figures will make for encouraging reading for graduates at Scotland’s 19 universities,…
University leaders promise the learners in the senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence will receive ‘fair and equal’ admissions to university
A report published today (Friday, 18th), which considers university engagement with the senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence, sees University Principals deliver a firm commitment to ‘fair and equal’ consideration of the varied range and routes to qualifications soon to be available to pupils in Scotland’s schools. This commitment will be of interest to school…
Welcome to Scottish Agricultural College’s new principal
Universities Scotland today (Monday 2 April) welcomes Professor Bob Webb to his new role as Principal of the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC). Universities Scotland’s Director, Alastair Sim said: “I look forward to working with Professor Webb over the coming weeks and months as Universities Scotland continues to pursue key priorities for the sector. Professor…
Universities Scotland welcomes steady progress on widening access
Universities in Scotland made greater progress in the last year on widening access measures than anywhere else in the UK. Universities Scotland responded to today’s (Thursday, 29th March) performance indicators for universities as published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) welcoming steady progress in the right direction. The statistics released today show the proportion…