New data on widening access to university, published by the Scottish Funding Council today, confirms that universities are on track to reach a significant milestone of progress by 2021 and provides a timely opportunity for universities to signal that COVID-19 will not be allowed to derail progress on widening access. The data show that 15.9%…
Tag: Students
Universities respond to the cancellation of the school exam diet in Scotland
Following the announcement that this year’s diet of exams have been cancelled, Director of Alastair Sim said: “The decision to cancel the school exam diet has clearly been incredibly difficult for the Scottish Government and Qualifications body. Universities support the need to put pupil safety and wellbeing first and so we recognise the need for…
Universities Scotland react to Scottish Government Budget
Following yesterday’s Scottish Government Budget published in the Scottish Parliament, which saw a 0% change in real terms to universities budgets, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland said: “This budget gives university funding real terms protection at 0%. The reality is that universities have no more money, in real terms, to spend on students…
Universities Scotland respond to Migration: Helping Scotland Prosper
Responding to the publication of the Scottish Government’s paper Migration: Helping Scotland Prosper, the Director of Universities Scotland, Alastair Sim said: “The attraction of talent to Scotland is central to our nation’s success, and the success of our universities. “We welcome this thoughtful contribution from the Scottish Government on how migration can and does contribute to Scotland’s…
Universities Scotland responds to Commissioner for Fair Access’s report on postgraduate access
Responding to the Commissioner for Fair Access’s latest discussion paper, Access to Postgraduate Study: Representation and Destinations, Universities Scotland welcomes a conversation about access to postgraduate level study and supports collaborative thinking on improving this. Commenting on the report, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “Sir Peter said he wanted a serious conversation about…
Universities Scotland respond to Local Government and Communities Committee’s call for views on Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill
Universities Scotland have responded to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities call for views on the proposed Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill that the committee is currently considering. Read our response to the committee here.
Universities Scotland comment on investment in additional counsellors for universities
Responding to today’s (1 November) announcement by the Scottish Government that it will invest in 80 new counsellors across colleges and universities, Deputy Director of Universities Scotland, David Lott said: “The investment in counsellors for universities is a welcome one. Student mental health is incredibly important and we are delighted to be working across the…
Universities Scotland response to EHRC report into racial harassment in higher education
Responding to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report on racial harassment in higher education, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland said: “The findings are stark and challenging for universities and we must turn to face those findings and recommendations head on. “We are committed to tackle racial harassment within universities. We will follow…
Universities Scotland response to data collection relating to unspent criminal convictions of university applicants
Universities Scotland has responded to a request for information from the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee in relation to proposed legislative changes to the disclosure system in Scotland. The request specifically focuses on UCAS’s removal of a question regarding unspent criminal convictions from all course applications and the initiatives taken by Scottish institutions to…
