Reacting to the publication of the Scottish Funding Council’s Report on Widening Access 2017-18, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Today’s annual report is vindication of the actions taken by universities to widen access over the past decade. Universities, students and wider society are benefiting from having more students from disadvantaged areas in our…
Tag: Widening access
The college-to-university route strengthens, with record numbers of students given full credit for their college study
New figures published by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) today set out a positive picture about the extent of collaboration between colleges and university to support learners to seamlessly progress from Higher National qualifications direct into a degree at university. Known as “articulation”, this route can support widening access and where possible, it reduces the…
Retention rates at Scottish Universities improve for fourth consecutive year
Responding to the latest HESA data release on non-continuation of studies, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “This is now the second year in a row where the retention rate in Scotland is better than the UK average. This is significant and a cause for celebration. Universities have dedicated significant time and effort to…
Scotland’s universities introduce minimum entry requirements
Over the past 18 months, universities across Scotland have been working to review their minimum entry requirements as one of the sector’s actions in Working to Widen Access. In the coming weeks, prospectuses from our 19 members will be published where minimum entry requirements for applicants from an SIMD20 background will be set out. Alastair Sim,…
Universities Scotland welcomes encouraging rise in under-represented applicants
Responding to today’s UCAS 2019 cycle applicant figures (January deadline), Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Today’s figures show that the work undertaken by universities to widen access is continuing to get results. Those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds saw a 2% increase in number of applicants, bucking the trend as applicants from other…
Universities in Scotland making good progress on widening access
Responding to today’s HESA data release on Higher Education Student Statistics: UK, 2017/18, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Scottish universities’ commitment to widening access is intrinsic to the values of higher education. Universities have accelerated their work on widening access, and this is delivering results: a 20% increase over five years in students…
Universities Scotland comments on latest UCAS figures
Commenting on the figures released today, Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland and Principal of Edinburgh Napier University said: “This is the data we all want to see. There’s more to do but there is a lot to feel encouraged by in today’s figures. The number of students from the poorest 20 per cent…
Universities Scotland comments on SQA results day
Responding to today’s SQA results and UCAS university placings, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Hearty congratulations are in order to Scots the length and breadth of the country on their Highers results and for the next stage in their life, whatever that may entail. “We have seen a 5% increase in placed applicants…
Universities Scotland comment on latest UCAS 30 June applications release
Commenting on the latest release from UCAS 2018 cycle applicant figures – June deadline, Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Universities are places of lifelong learning, and it’s encouraging to see an increase in applicants aged 20 and over. The 20 plus age group is also key to widening access, as we see increased applicant…
Follow up letter to the Education and Skills Committee on Widening Access
On Wednesday 16 March 2018, Alastair Sim, the Director of Universities Scotland gave evidence to the Education and Skills Committee about widening access alongside four university Principals. As part of the evidence session, Alastair Sim said he would clarify some issues such as details of what universities, specifically ‘the ancients’ were doing to widen access…