On 29 October 2020, the Scottish Parliament heard from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead MSP about the impact of Brexit on the further and higher education sectors. To help inform MSPs in their questioning of the Minister after the statement, we prepared a briefing focusing on the two main…
Tag: Ambition
Universities Scotland responds to the Scottish Government’s new Inward Investment Plan
Responding to the publication of Shaping Scotland’s Economy, Alastair Sim, Universities Scotland Director, said: “We’re pleased to see the report recognise higher education’s important role in attracting inward investment into Scotland. Bar London, Scotland has been the top performing nation or region of the UK in attracting inward investment for each of the past seven years and…
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee’s inquiry into UK Industrial Strategy
Universities Scotland has responsed to a consultation by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee (BEIS) on the UK’s Industrial Strategy. The inquiry examines key Industrial Strategy issues such as priorities, deliverability and the Grand Challenge missions. The inquiry forms part of the Committee’s overall ‘super-inquiry’ into Post-Pandemic Economic Growth. Our submission highlights universities’ key role…
Update on the impact of COVID-19 on universities for the Education and Skills Committee
Ahead of the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead MSP, giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee on Wednesday 2 September 2020, Universities Scotland provided evidence to update the Committee on the impact of COVID-19 on the university sector. The evidence covers: the implications of the SQA examination…
Universities Scotland response to confirmation of funding from Scottish Government for additional 2020/21 entrants
Today [Friday 21 August], Mr Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, confirmed that the Scottish Government will fund the additional 2020/21 entrants to university for the duration of their four/five year degree. The Minister also helpfully acknowledged that the Scottish Government’s decision to revert to teacher-awarded grades would have implications…
Universities Scotland response to Scottish Funding Council’s Review of Coherent Provision and Sustainability
Universities Scotland has submitted a response to the Scottish Funding Council’s Review of Coherent Provision and Sustainability. Commissioned by Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, the Review considers how best SFC can fulfil its mission of securing coherent provision by post-16 education bodies, and the undertaking of research, in the…
Universities Scotland comment on Ministerial Statement: SQA Exam Results 2020
Commenting on today’s Ministerial Statement from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Universities Scotland Convener Gerry McCormac said: “Universities will do everything possible to ensure that all those who can benefit from higher education have the opportunity to attend university. They will look at the circumstances of each applicant who…
Improving articulation between Scottish colleges and universities
Professor Nigel Seaton is the Principal of Abertay University and Co-Convener of the National Articulation Forum. He introduces a new report by the Forum which sets a series of recommendations to make it easier for students to progress from college to university. The National Articulation Forum had as its objective to work out how to…
Scotland’s colleges and universities launch plans for more flexible pathways for learners in the post-COVID economy
A new report released today [Tuesday 11 August] sets a series of recommendations for colleges and universities to create more opportunities for students to progress seamlessly between a Higher National (HN) qualification into a university degree. Produced by the National Articulation Forum, a joint initiative by Colleges Scotland and Universities Scotland, the report calls for…
Universities in Advanced Economies: Recovery and Transformation
Last year we commissioned BiGGAR Economics to analyse the role of universities in advanced economies, in particular their role in productivity growth and the fiscal returns on investment. Reporting in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings provide a timely reminder of universities’ fundamental importance to advanced economies. The analysis demonstrates that a thriving…