17 of Scotland’s universities and higher education institutions have pledged adoption of the UK Agent Quality Framework, making a strong commitment to integrity and transparency in the use of international agents. The move seeks to uphold the highest standards in international recruitment and therefore reassure prospective and current students, the public and politicians, where universities’…
News
May
07
2024
International links: importance and strengthening of Scotland’s relationships
Ela Kossakowska, our Connected Scotland project officer, has written a blog about an event led by Connected Scotland with Scotland’s Universities International Group (SUIG), hosted at Scotland House in London, with the aim of building and strengthening Scotland’s international relationships. Connected Scotland and SUIG once again invited education and culture attaches and sponsors to Scotland…
“Toughest Funding Settlement” as the SFC’s AY 2024/25 Indicative Allocations are published
Universities Scotland responds to the publication of the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) academic year 2024/25 indicative allocations to universities and higher education institutions. Professor Iain Gillespie, Convener of Universities Scotland, said: “This is by far the toughest funding settlement universities have faced, as £28.5 million of Government cuts had to be found from next year’s…
April
15
2024
University students from underrepresented backgrounds highlight importance of the access agenda and the need to achieve the 2030 access goals
Universities Scotland, which represents Scotland’s 19 universities and higher education institutions, has today (Monday, 15 April) unveiled a new campaign on widening access, called “40 Faces”. The campaign gives a platform for 40 non-traditional students and graduates to share their experience of university and set out their perspectives on what is key to achieving Scotland’s…
March
28
2024
Revealed: Manifesto to maximise growth and opportunities
Universities Scotland, which represents 19 universities and higher education institutions across Scotland reveal their manifesto asks in anticipation of the UK General Election. The manifesto asks the next UK government to make policy and funding decisions in ways that maximise the positive economic and social impact Scotland delivers as part of the UK. Higher education…
March
20
2024
We need a serious conversation on HE funding
Departing Universities Scotland after 15 years, Director Alastair Sim suggests there should be a serious conversation on funding that shares our national values, focusing on socially just solutions and holds common ground between the sector and government. As I leave Universities Scotland after 15 years as Director, I don’t want to focus on the past….
February
29
2024
International students critically important for Scottish jobs, growth and global ambitions
International students have contributed between £4-6 billion to Scottish economy. The graduate route is a win-win for international students and the UK. The MAC’s planned review of the Graduate Route visa must retain an internationally attractive post-study work route in the UK. Since 2019, the presence of international students in Scotland, supported by the Graduate…
February
09
2024
Increased research funding for Scottish Universities
The Minister for Higher Education and Further Education Graeme Dey has announced an additional £5.8 million to support research and innovation in Scotland’s universities, to be spent in financial year 2023/24. We warmly welcome this funding boost, which will support universities to continue to thrive in their world-leading research and the wider economic impact this…
February
07
2024
Scotland’s first International Education Strategy: developing positive links
Today, the Scottish Government launched Scotland’s first International Education Strategy at Edinburgh Napier University. We warmly welcome this announcement, which will allow Scotland’s world-leading universities to continue to thrive internationally and develop the contribution of universities to the Scottish society. Our International Committee Convener, Professor Andrea Nolan has said: “This Strategy has been highly anticipated…
February
06
2024
Joint Articulation: what is it and what are the priorities?
Last week, the Commissioner for Fair Access, Professor John H. McKendrick published his first annual report on widening access to HE. In it, he champions an alliance between colleges and universities as a means to achieving the access targets. Colleges and universities have been working closely together on progression routes at both national and regional…