Universities Scotland have welcomed the publication of the Report on Widening Access 2020-21 by the sector’s funding body, the Scottish Funding Council which demonstrates the sector’s commitment to widening access. The Scottish Government’s Commission on Widening Access set the sector a target that by 2021, students from the 20% most-disadvantaged backgrounds (SIMD20) should represent at…
Tag: Ambition
REF 2021: Scotland’s universities deliver research of “world leading” quality and impact
The results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF), an exercise to assess the quality and impact of UK university research, are published today (Thursday, 12 May) and found Scotland’s universities are performing at a “world-leading” and “internationally excellent” standard. 84.86% of Scotland’s research has been judged to be 4* and 3* on the overall measure,…
Universities’ achievement hailed in new world impact rankings
Universities Scotland has welcomed new global rankings that demonstrate the impact of institutions’ teaching and research on improving the world as aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Seven universities* from Scotland are represented in the rankings, all featuring in the top 20% of more than 1,500 universities globally. The Times Higher Education…
Professor Sally Mapstone on Care Day 2022
Professor Sally Mapstone FRSE is the Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the University of St Andrews. She is also the Vice Convener of Universities Scotland and chairs our Admissions Policy Group. Universities are powerful engines of social change and the University of St Andrews has, for over six centuries, provided the requisite skills and knowledge to…
Record breaking widening access success highlighted in new figures
Responding to the publication of the Higher Education Student Statistics UK 2020-21, which shows the highest number and proportion of Scottish students from Scotland’s most deprived areas, Universities Scotland Director, Alastair Sim said: “It’s a source of pride for the sector that more students than ever from Scotland’s most deprived areas are studying and hopefully…
Universities Scotland submission on the impact of the 2022/23 budget allocation for universities
Universities Scotland has submitted financial metrics on higher education funding to the Finance and Public Administration Committee to inform its scrutiny of the 2022/23 Budget. The figures demonstrate the impact of the 2022/23 budget allocation for universities as well as the longer-term financial pressures facing Scotland’s universities. Read the full briefing here.
Universities Scotland submission to Finance and Public Administration Committee inquiry into Resource Spending Review
Universities Scotland has responded to an inquiry by the Finance and Public Administration Committee on the framework for the Scottish Government’s Resource Spending Review. The Resource Spending Review is to set out spending plans for the remainder of the parliamentary term which support the Scottish Government’s ambitions. The Review was announced alongside the Scottish Budget…
Universities Scotland response to education reform consultation
Universities Scotland has responded to a consultation led by Professor Ken Muir on reforming the Scottish education system. The consultation invites views on the Scottish Government’s intention to replace the SQA and create a new specialist agency for both curriculum and assessment. Reform to Education Scotland, including removing the function of inspection from the agency,…
Colleges and unis unite for fair budget claim for students
College and university principals have come together to call on the Scottish Government to deliver for Scotland’s students in December’s budget. Audrey Cumberford, Chair of College Principals and Gerry McCormac, Convener of Universities Scotland have united in a call to the Scottish Government to deliver funding in the budget on 9 December to ensure college…