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…
Tag: Students
Universities Scotland’s contribution the UK Government’s Higher Education Reform and LLE Policy Consultations
Universities Scotland has contributed to the UK Government’s Higher Education Reform and Lifelong Loan Entitlement policy consultations. Whilst the proposed policy reforms primarily relate to universities in England, we seek assurances that any change to student funding will not create unintentional consequences for English-domiciled students wishing to study at Scottish institutions. We have highlighted a…
Universities Scotland supports the announcement of free tuition for displaced Ukrainian students
Responding to the announcement made this morning (Thursday 14 April) by the Scottish Government that displaced Ukrainian students settling in Scotland will be given access to free tuition and living cost support. Universities Scotland’s Director, Alastair Sim, said: “Scotland’s university leaders are appalled at the continuing desperate crisis in Ukraine. We are committed to offering…
Statement of solidarity with Ukraine
Universities Scotland stands with Ukraine. We unequivocally condemn the invasion and are deeply concerned by the horrific events in Ukraine. We express our support for Ukrainian students and staff, studying, working and living in Scotland and those around the world. Every university has reached out directly to the individuals most affected by this conflict to…
Professor Sally Mapstone on Care Day 2022
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. Universities are powerful engines of social change and the University of St Andrews has, for over six centuries, provided the requisite skills and knowledge to…
Universities Scotland’s submission to the Education, Children and Young People Committee on the attainment challenge
We have provided evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People’s Committee to assist with their inquiry on the attainment challenge. Our submission highlights the role that the attainment challenge will play in ensuring fair admissions to universities; the key role that better data could play in making decisive policy interventions as well…
Record breaking widening access success highlighted in new figures
Responding to the publication of the Higher Education Student Statistics UK 2020-21, which shows the highest number and proportion of Scottish students from Scotland’s most deprived areas, Universities Scotland Director, Alastair Sim said: “It’s a source of pride for the sector that more students than ever from Scotland’s most deprived areas are studying and hopefully…
Universities Scotland submission to Education, Children and Young People Committee on spiking incidents
Universities Scotland has submitted evidence to an inquiry by the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee on incidents of drink and needle spiking. The inquiry follows recent media reports of a rise in the incidents of spiking and a new threat of spiking by needle. Our submission looks at the prevalence of spiking…
Universities Scotland comment on plans for blended learning in January 2022
Commenting on universities’ preparations for the new semester starting in January 2022, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said: “Universities have been working at level zero since September, which is a whole level more cautious than required of other sectors. In response to omicron, we’ve stepped up that level of caution again in the last…