Universities Scotland has responded to the Scottish Government’s budget for financial year 2024/25 which was published on Tuesday 19th December. For higher education, the budget means: cash cuts of 5.9% to university resource budgets (or a cut of £48.5 million) which primarily covers the cost of teaching Scottish domiciled students.* a 4.7% increase to the…
News
December
18
2023
Donation to Cara this Christmas
This year, rather than sending out Christmas cards, Universities Scotland have made a donation to Cara (Council for At-Risk Academics) in recognition and to support the important work they do. Cara provides urgently-needed help to academics in immediate danger, those forced into exile, and many who choose to work on in their home countries despite…
December
13
2023
A cheat’s guide to the Scottish Government’s budget and university funding
Susannah Lane, Head of Public Affairs has written a short blog detailing a guide on how universities in Scotland are funded and a breakdown of the Scottish Government budget, ahead of the budget for financial year 2024/25 on 19 December. Next week the Scottish Government will publish its budget for the financial year 2024/25. By…
November
24
2023
Scotland’s universities collaborate on unprecedented approach to student data as part of ongoing commitment to tackle gender based violence
Scotland’s universities collaborate on unprecedented approach to student data as part of ongoing commitment to tackle gender based violence Scotland’s universities have announced a new common baseline approach to the collection and processing of personal student data relating to relevant unspent criminal convictions and relevant criminal charges. The data will be used to improve student…
November
21
2023
Global international higher education event comes to Scotland
Some 400 higher education leaders from around the world will debate the future of international higher education at an event in Edinburgh this week. Going Global, organised by the British Council, will focus on the increasing demand across the world for higher and further education. The event will address how the sector can better tackle…
October
09
2023
Success for Team Scotland in Paris this weekend
Over the weekend, Universities Scotland’s International team, Ela Kossakowska and Dr David Donaldson attended L’Etudiant Study Abroad Fair in Paris, representing the Scottish higher education sector. They have shared insights into the successful Fair and highlighted the importance of international partnerships and students for Scotland. With the eyes of Scotland focussed on Paris on Saturday,…
September
20
2023
Executive search begins as Alastair Sim announces his intention to move on
Universities Scotland is seeking a new Director. Alastair Sim, the current Director, is leaving Universities Scotland (US) after 14 years’ of outstanding service. Responding to Alastair’s planned departure in 2024, Professor Iain Gillespie, Convener of Universities Scotland and the Principal of the University of Dundee, said: “Alastair has given an astonishing amount of commitment to Universities…
International collaboration to continue under Horizon Europe deal
Universities Scotland “delighted” by UK’s return to Horizon Europe Universities Scotland have welcomed today’s announcement that the UK will associate to the Horizon Europe and Copernicus programmes for the remainder of this programme (until 2027). Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion. Over the…
July
31
2023
84% of Scottish graduates say going to university got them the job they wanted
Research from Universities Scotland highlights the value of going to university, including that: 84.5% of Scottish graduates credit their university with helping them gain employment 74% of Scottish graduates found a job reflective of their ambitions in under a year thanks to their degree 75% of business leaders believe going to university enables graduates to…
Increasing number of Scottish university students from deprived backgrounds requires a change in how deprivation is defined
Dr Kirsty Conlon, Head of Learning, Teaching and Widening Access has shared her thoughts in The Scotsman on the journey that Scottish universities will take to achieve the 2030 target of 20% of all students entering university will come from the nation’s 20% most deprived areas. She also outlines the challenges that will be faced…