Responding to today’s Scottish Government announcement of Professor John McKendrick as the new Commissioner for Fair Access to Higher Education in Scotland, David Lott, Deputy Director of Universities Scotland said: “We welcome the appointment of John McKendrick as Commissioner for Fair Access. We look forward to Professor McKendrick building on the university sector’s achievements in…
Tag: Widening access
University dedication to widening access continues to reap results
We are welcoming new figures that show more people from disadvantaged areas in Scotland are applying and being accepted into university. The figures come from UK’s shared admissions service for higher education, UCAS, who have released its data resources for the end of the 2022 application cycle. The figures show that the number of applications…
Universities Scotland’s response to the National Discussion survey
Universities Scotland have submitted their response to the survey for the National Discussion on the future of education in Scotland. Learners in the future will need an education that addresses future environmental, digital, global, economic challenges and acquire the knowledge and skills to thrive. We also need to ensure no one is left behind. Our…
Scotland’s universities lead the way in widening access to students with care experience
A new report into the educational experience of students with a care background has hailed the progressive approach taken by Scotland’s universities in committing to a care experience guarantee in 2019, highlighting the positive impact it has already had on this group of students. The report, Next Steps: What is the Experience of Students from…
Actions required to maintain momentum towards the 2030 access targets for Scotland
Dr Kirsty Conlon, our Head of Learning and Teaching and Widening Access Policy shares her thoughts on what steps the soon to be announced Commissioner for Fair Access should be prioritising. A shorter version of this blog appeared on Wonkhe. Universities in Scotland are expecting an announcement on who will be the next Commissioner for…
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…
Proposed Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill
Universities Scotland have responded to Liz Smith MSP’s proposed Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill which has just completed its consultation phase. Universities Scotland, representing Scotland’s 19 universities are supportive of this proposed Bill as we consider there to be helpful evidence of the educational and wider benefits that outdoor education offers young people across…
Queen’s Birthday Honours recognises Dame Sally Mapstone
Professor Sally Mapstone has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in her Platinum Jubilee year. Sally has been made a DBE for her extraordinary services to higher education. Dame Sally has been Principal and Vice Chancellor the University of St Andrews since 2016. She has been Vice Convener of Universities Scotland since 2020 and…
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…