Scotland’s 18 higher education institutions[1] have today (25 July) set out a new commitment that care experienced applicants[2] who meet minimum entry requirements will be guaranteed an offer of an undergraduate place at university. This bold, sector-wide move will be in place for the next admissions cycle, starting this autumn for people looking to start…
Tag: Ambition
Scottish universities receive strong report card from students
This year’s National Student Survey (NSS) results have shown that students studying at Scottish universities are more satisfied with the quality of their course compared with last year. Overall satisfaction with courses in Scotland has improved by one per cent since 2018 and now stands at 84 per cent. The figure matches the UK average…
A Vision for Scotland’s universities in 2030
Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, takes the long view and sets out our ambition for Scotland’s higher education sector in 2030: Graduation season is the perfect time to launch our Vision for Scottish higher education in 2030 because graduations represent a springboard into the future and a time full of optimism and energy. That’s…
Universities Scotland respond to the second annual report of the Commissioner for Fair Access
Following the publication of the second annual report of the Commissioner for Fair Access, a spokesperson for Universities Scotland said: “There’s a lot in this report that’s designed to keep the pressure on universities and we’ve come to expect that from the Commissioner but there is also a clear recognition of the amount of progress made…
The economic contribution made by Scottish universities
On Friday (31 May), Universities Scotland were asked to respond to comments made at a seminar about the economic contribution made by Scotland’s universities. Part of our response was printed in Saturday’s edition of The Times. The full statement from our Director, Alastair Sim was: “We’re all working towards the same goal, which is to…
Universities Scotland submission on future frameworks for international collaboration on research and innovation
Universities Scotland responded to a call for evidence on future UK funding schemes for international collaboration and innovation. Professor Sir Adrian Smith has been commissioned by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to provide independent advice on what future frameworks on research and innovation could look like. You can read our full…
Augar: The view from Scotland
Our Director, Alastair Sim, reflects on the Augar Review of post-18 education and funding and what the recommendations mean for the Scottish higher education sector. Scottish university leaders have been waiting for the Augar Review with some anxiety. Their interest is much greater than you would expect from the Review’s very brief reference to devolved…
Augar Review recommendations: Any changes in fees in England has implications for Scotland
Responding to the publication of Theresa May’s review of post-18 education and funding (the ‘Augar review’), Universities Scotland is calling on the government and next prime minister to consider fully the potential consequences of the recommendations for universities and students in the devolved nations. Commenting on the report, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said:…
Director reacts to Report on Widening Access 2017-18
Reacting to the publication of the Scottish Funding Council’s Report on Widening Access 2017-18, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Today’s annual report is vindication of the actions taken by universities to widen access over the past decade. Universities, students and wider society are benefiting from having more students from disadvantaged areas in our…
Behind the scenes at Going Global part 2
Samantha Lister is back with the second and final part of her blog from Berlin. Samantha is Assistant Registrar at the University of St Andrews and is currently attending The British Council’s Going Global conference in Berlin. This year, 12 Scottish universities are participating in the annual conference for leaders of international education where local, national,…