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)…
Tag: Students
Maintaining fair assessment for university students in academic year 2020/21
Scotland’s higher education institutions have offered reassurance to all students that fairness will continue to be a defining feature of assessment processes in 2020/21. A new statement by all 19 universities reaffirms their commitment to ensuring that student assessment, and the processes that lead to progression and graduation, are underpinned by the fundamental principles of…
Submission to Education and Skills Committee on the 2021 staggered restart of teaching in higher education
Ahead of the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead MSP, giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee on Wednesday 27 January 2021, Universities Scotland provided evidence to update the Committee on the impact of the staggered restart of teaching in higher education. In the briefing, we call on…
Students and universities urge Scottish Government to follow Wales on twin-track support package to get through COVID
Scotland’s student and university leaders have joined together to commend the Welsh Government on its twin-track approach to supporting higher education students and institutions through the COVID crisis. This comes on the day that the Welsh Government announces a new package of £40 million available to support students facing financial hardship. The Welsh Government has…
Universities Scotland responds to postponed return of students
Responding to the announcement from the Scottish Government on the return of students to university, a spokesperson for Universities Scotland said: “In light of the high prevalence of the virus across the country, it is appropriate that there should be an increased staggering of the return of students to campus. We look forward to receiving…
Response to Ministerial Statement on January return
Responding to the Ministerial Statement by John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister to the Scottish Parliament, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Today’s announcement affirms the importance of students having access to in-person learning and support next term. We believe this is important for students’ learning, welfare and retention. “The requirement for a staggered…
New guidance published to help universities tackle racial harassment on campus
Our sister organisation Universities UK (UUK) has today [24 November 2020] published a series of recommendations aimed at supporting universities to tackle racial harassment in higher education. Tackling Racial Harassment in Higher Education is the product of an advisory group convened by UUK in October last year and responds to many of the recommendations in…
Universities Scotland response to UUK’s Fair Admissions Review
Responding to Universities UK’s Fair Admissions Review recommendations, which aim to make university admissions fairer and more transparent, Universities Scotland Director Alastair Sim said: “Moves to make the university admissions process fairer, more consistent and transparent at UK level are most welcome. The next stage of consultation is crucially important: the devolved nations must be…
Universities Scotland respond to Ministerial Statement on Supporting Students to Return Home Safely at the End of Term
Responding to the Ministerial Statement on Supporting Students to Return Home Safely at the End of Term from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead MSP and after coordination between the four governments of the United Kingdom, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Student welfare has guided our decision making…
Briefing ahead of Ministerial Statement: An Update on the Impact of EU Exit on Scotland’s Further and Higher Education Sectors
On 29 October 2020, the Scottish Parliament heard from the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead MSP about the impact of Brexit on the further and higher education sectors. To help inform MSPs in their questioning of the Minister after the statement, we prepared a briefing focusing on the two main…