Four Scottish universities have been placed in the world’s top 50 for social and economic impact, according to a new global ranking by Times Higher Education. The 2019 University Impact Rankings is the first in the world to measure universities’ impact on society, rather than just teaching and learning alone. The metric ranks universities’ ability…
Tag: Common good
Life-changing research at Scottish universities could be days away from stalling
Universities Scotland and Universities UK are calling on the government to take urgent steps to prevent Scotland from losing out on hundreds of millions of pounds worth of research grants if there is a no-deal Brexit. Academics across the country are set to find out whether they have been awarded funding from the latest round…
Our work on mental health
We know mental health is on a continuum and we are looking today, on University Mental Health Day, at our current work on student mental health in Scotland. Professor Pamela Gillies (Principal of Glasgow Caledonian University) is the Lead Member for Mental Health at Universities Scotland. She has convened a sector wide group with representatives…
Briefing for Scottish Government Statement: Update on the Impact of Brexit on the Scottish Further and Higher Education Sectors
On Thursday 14 March 2019, the Scottish Government provided the Scottish Parliament with an update statement on the impact of Brexit on Scotland’s Further and Higher Education sectors. We took the opportunity to brief MSPs on our concerns as well as actions that could be taken by the UK and Scottish Governments to mitigate the…
Universities Scotland submission to Education and Skills Committee inquiry into Subject choice
Universities Scotland have responded to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee inquiry into Subject choice. Our submission focuses on the work of the Learner Journey and the impact of Subject choice on the sector’s work on widening access. You can read our submission here.
Scotland’s universities introduce minimum entry requirements
Over the past 18 months, universities across Scotland have been working to review their minimum entry requirements as one of the sector’s actions in Working to Widen Access. In the coming weeks, prospectuses from our 19 members will be published where minimum entry requirements for applicants from an SIMD20 background will be set out. Alastair Sim,…
Universities Scotland welcomes encouraging rise in under-represented applicants
Responding to today’s UCAS 2019 cycle applicant figures (January deadline), Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Today’s figures show that the work undertaken by universities to widen access is continuing to get results. Those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds saw a 2% increase in number of applicants, bucking the trend as applicants from other…
Universities in Scotland making good progress on widening access
Responding to today’s HESA data release on Higher Education Student Statistics: UK, 2017/18, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Scottish universities’ commitment to widening access is intrinsic to the values of higher education. Universities have accelerated their work on widening access, and this is delivering results: a 20% increase over five years in students…
Universities Scotland comments on immigration white paper
Responding to the Home Office’s white paper on immigration, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “The white paper on immigration highlights many of the benefits that immigration provides across the country. However we remain concerned that UK immigration policy post-Brexit will make it more difficult to attract talent to our nation. “Mobility of talent…
Our top priority throughout Brexit: people
This article originally appeared in The Scotsman on Thursday 27 September 2018. Universities Scotland Director Alastair Sim gives his thoughts on how Brexit is impacting the higher education sector. People. That’s our priority when it comes to Brexit. It has been since the vote came through and it remains our top priority whether the UK Government…