You searched for: fair access

As report shows an annual funding gap of at least £200 million, university leaders say responsibility for the Scottish solution must now pass to politicians

University stakeholders learned today that Scotland’s universities will face a teaching funding gap of at least £200 million a year, as a result of changes to the way universities in England are funded. The report of the Green Paper’s expert technical group was published today (28 February) a day ahead of the HE Summit on…

Continue Reading

COVID-19

We have created this page in order to keep all the relevant information you need to know about higher education in Scotland and COVID-19 in one place. NEWS Universities Scotland responds to Scottish Government announcement of additional COVID funding [16 February 2021]. Read here. Universities Scotland responds to postponed return of students after Christmas break….

Continue Reading

#TheFutureDepends: speech by Shirley-Anne Somerville

On 22 November 2016, Universities Scotland held their annual reception in the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament. To read more about the event, please read our preview of the event. Universities Scotland were delighted to have the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Shirley-Anne Somerville address our guests. Her speech from our reception…

Continue Reading

Futures not Backgrounds

Universities Scotland has set out its response to the Blueprint for Fair Access, the report of the Commission on Widening Access produced in March 2016. University leaders are to take forward three broad areas of work that address a number of the recommendations made by the Commission. Work will start straight away on a review…

Continue Reading

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…

Continue Reading

What next for research in post-Sturgeon Scotland?

Professor Iain Gillespie, Principal of the University of Dundee and our Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee Convener penned some thoughts for Research Professional about what should happen in research under a new First Minister following Nicola Sturgeon’s decision to resign as First Minister. Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation as First Minister is one of those points in…

Continue Reading

Universities Scotland announce new leadership team

Universities Scotland, the organisation which represents all 19 of Scotland’s higher education institutions welcomes Professor Gerry McCormac as its Convener and Professor Sally Mapstone as Vice Convener for a period of two years from 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2022. Professor Gerry McCormac, Principal & Vice Chancellor at the University of Stirling, was elected…

Continue Reading

Audit of university finances shows worrying picture of funding cuts and rising costs

Responding to a new audit of university finances, Universities Scotland’s Convener, Professor Andrea Nolan, has said that the next budget from the Scottish Government will be vital to the sustainability of the higher education sector. Audit Scotland’s report, Finances of Scottish Universities, published today (Thursday 19 September 2019) shows the financial picture for the country’s…

Continue Reading

Enterprise & Skills Review: Joint Statement by NUS Scotland, UCU Scotland and Universities Scotland

The following joint statement was issued by NUS Scotland, UCU Scotland and Universities Scotland prior to Wednesday’s (7th December) Education and Skills Committee meeting at the Scottish Parliament concerning the Enterprise and Skills Review with Keith Brown, the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work. This statement should not be seen as the…

Continue Reading

Deputy First Minister, John Swinney MSP, appointed Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills

Universities Scotland has welcomed the appointment of Deputy First Minister, John Swinney MSP as Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP as Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science in the Scottish Cabinet reshuffle. The appointment of this portfolio reinforces the importance that The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has placed on…

Continue Reading