Universities are one of Scotland’s greatest assets. They are anchor institutions for economic growth and transformation. They produce and promote both entrepreneurship and creativity. They have a proven record in widening access and winning recognition for pedagogical quality and the student experience. However, without sustained, prioritised and strategic investment, much of this is seriously at risk.
Tag: Common good
Promoting Scotland internationally
Universities Scotland welcomes the opportunity to submit evidence to the committee’s inquiry into promoting Scotland internationally. Scotland’s universities are proudly international in both our history and outlook.
Universities welcome SQA exam results
Universities Scotland has welcomed the publication of SQA exam results across Scotland. Today, statistical data released by UCAS show that as of 9 August: 60.1% of Scottish students gained a place at their firm choice university, up from the pre-pandemic level of 57.5% in 2019. This is a new record. 29,630 students have accepted a…
Statement on participation in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
All of Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions have decided not to participate in the revised Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) as proposed by the Office for Students (OfS). TEF is mandatory for universities in England and optional for universities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Having considered the TEF carefully, Scottish universities have decided not to…
Our response to Sir Peter Scott’s Final Report as Commissioner for Fair Access
Responding to the final report from the Commission for Fair Access, Sir Peter Scott, Director of Universities Scotland, Alastair Sim said: “Scotland’s universities have achieved a lot when it comes to widening access in recent years. As a sector, we have introduced the most progressive admissions policies for students in the UK and have reached…
Professor Sally Mapstone on University Funding
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. Published in The Herald on Friday 27th May 2022. Since its establishment in 1413 as Scotland’s first university, the University of St Andrews has been…
Research and innovation at risk with cuts to funding
University leaders are warning that Scotland’s hard won reputation for research and innovation is at risk. The Scottish Funding Council has issued its funding allocations for universities for the next academic year 2022/23 including the Research Excellence Grant. The Research Excellence Grant supports top-quality research with the aim to keep Scotland globally competitive and attractive…
New figures show no let-up on widening access from universities
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…
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…