On Tuesday 28 September 2021, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, hosted a group discussion with university students to celebrate the higher education sector’s achievement of the interim widening access target set by the Scottish Government. Mitchell is a second-year student who applied to the University of St Andrews as a result of…
Tag: Students
Widening access: “Going to university is one of the best choices I’ve ever made”
On Tuesday 28 September 2021, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, hosted a group discussion with university students to celebrate the higher education sector’s achievement of the interim widening access target set by the Scottish Government. Ryan, a Masters student at Heriot-Watt University, participated in the discussion and said that applying to…
University sector celebrates widening access progress with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, has met with university students to celebrate the higher education sector’s achievement of the interim widening access target set by the Scottish Government. Ms Somerville hosted a group discussion with students whose routes into university are considered non-traditional as a way of recognising the sector’s…
Mental health and wellbeing is a top priority in the new academic year, say Principals and Student Union Presidents
The Principals and Student Union Presidents of Scotland’s 19 universities have issued an open letter to students assuring them that mental health and wellbeing is a top priority in the new academic year. The letter sets out to raise the visibility of general opportunities for wellbeing and preventative measures as well as more focused mental…
Universities Scotland respond to Results Day across the UK
Universities Scotland has welcomed the publication of exam results across the country in what has been a very challenging time for school and college learners. Today’s UCAS data show: An increase in the entry rate of Scottish domiciled 18-year-olds going to university at 28% (an increase from 26.4% in 2020). A 12% increase in Scottish-domiciled…
Scotland’s universities and their role in Olympic dreams
Professor Sir Gerry McCormac is Convener of Universities Scotland and Principal of the University of Stirling. He writes about the success of student athletes at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Competing at the Olympic or Paralympic Games is often the culmination of years – perhaps even a lifetime’s worth – of preparation and dedication to sport….
Getting Results: The New Social Contract
To mark a new report showcasing the role of Scottish universities in economic and social recovery, we’re publishing a series of blogs from Principals highlighting how higher education will deliver for Scotland over the next five years. Every day this week we’ll publish a blog from a Principal looking at a different area of contribution. The…
University leaders call for urgent clarity on plans for next academic year as new data shows high levels of student anxiety and fears about progression
The Principals of Scotland’s universities have called on the Scottish Government to provide clarity within the next fortnight on the arrangements for in-person teaching when the next academic year starts. The call comes as new polling data of over 500 students at Scotland’s universities shows that: 73 per cent feel the restrictions on in-person learning…
Department for Education’s post-qualification admissions consultation
Universities Scotland responded to the Department for Education’s consultation on post-qualification admissions. Our submission reflected the particular implications of the proposed admissions reform for Scottish learners and the Scottish university sector. In our submission we highlight: – Admissions reform must put the learner at the centre and make admissions fairer – Maintaining a centralised admissions…
UCAS data cause for assurance in value of Scottish higher education
New data released by the university admissions service UCAS serves as a cause for optimism in the Scottish higher education sector. The January Equal Consideration Deadline 2021 data, published by UCAS on Thursday 18 February, show: Positive widening access statistics. Continued increase in applicants from the most disadvantaged background with a 15% increase (1,100 people)…