Tag: Higher Education

Reassurance for students

Prospective university and college students are being reassured that they will receive their results on time, and universities and colleges will assess qualifications as part of the admissions process.

Minister for Further Education and Higher Education Richard Lochhead has written to students emphasising that their educational futures are being protected during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Universities are also being urged to observe a moratorium on changing offers made to undergraduate students.

In a letter to principals, Mr Lochhead underlined the need for a stable Higher Education admissions system while the country collectively responds to the challenges of COVID-19.

Mr Lochhead said: “I understand that many students who have applied to university or college this year will be anxious that school exams cannot go ahead as a result of the impact of COVID-19.

“The Scottish Government took this action to prioritise the health and wellbeing of our children, young people and staff.

“While the protection of life remains our utmost priority, I am absolutely clear that we must ensure that the interests and life chances of our young people are protected, and that they will be rewarded for their hard work.

“Despite the disruption, students will quite rightly have their achievements recognised, and gain the qualifications and awards that they deserve after so many years of hard work.

“I am also confident that institutions will act responsibly, and recognise that our shared priority now must be to ensure the stabilisation of the Higher Education admissions system, which is in all of our interests, whilst we respond to the unprecedented challenges COVID-19 presents.”

The letter to University and College applicants has been published on the SAAS Student Information Scotland website.

Letter to University Principals

14 April 2020

You may be aware of a letter issued by Michelle Donelan, the UK Government Universities Minister, on 3 April informing Higher Education providers in England of the moratorium, until 20 April, on changing offers made to undergraduate students, such as converting conditional offers to unconditional offers or changing entry requirements.

I know you will understand very well that this practice risks destabilising the admissions system, increasing financial uncertainty and volatility for all institutions at a time when universities are already facing significant pressures.

I firstly want to thank you all for not having changed offers to students, or participated in any activity that has led to the moratorium being necessary. I am, however, writing to you in expectation that Scottish institutions maintain this position and observe the moratorium until 20 April, to ensure consistency with English providers.

I am confident institutions will act responsibly and recognise that our shared priority now must be to ensure the stabilisation of the Higher Education admissions system, which is in all of our interests, whilst we collectively respond to the challenges Covid-19 presents.However, I feel it’s important to provide some reassurance to our prospective students about the admissions process at what is an extremely worrying time for them.

I will therefore shortly be issuing a message to reassure applicants that they will receive their exam results in good time for universities to assess qualifications in the usual way; and to remind them that the UCAS May deadlines are being extended by two weeks to give students more time to make decisions about their future.

My purpose in writing to you at this time is to seek your support to ensure our sector continues to act in a way which maintains the stability of the university admissions system and ensures students’ best interests are safeguarded.

I am aware that the sector in Scotland is already working with SQA and my officials to ensure that the admissions process works for this year’s applicants. I would like to commend you for that and my hope is that we can continue to work collaboratively on this matter in the coming weeks and months.

I would like to extend my thanks to all universities and colleges in Scotland for their support in dealing with these unprecedented circumstances.

Yours sincerely

RICHARD LOCHHEAD

Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science

Financial support for students expanded

A major expansion of postgraduate funding has been announced, with funding for students on Research Masters courses to be made available for the first time. This move will ensure that students can access all types of Masters study without financial barriers.

Tuition fee loans of up to £5,500 and living cost loan support of up to £4,500 will be made available to Scottish postgraduate students on Research Masters courses from the coming academic year onwards. This expands on support previously made available to taught postgraduate courses and distance learning postgraduate students.

Additionally, EU students will be eligible for the tuition fee element of the funding.

Announcing the expansion of support, Minister for Higher Education Richard Lochhead said: “The Scottish Government is committed to making higher education as accessible as possible.

“Research students in Scotland are working on the cutting edge of modern thinking. This expansion in funding will allow more students than ever before to pursue postgraduate study without financial barriers. This includes EU students, whose interests the Scottish Government is committed to protecting in light of Brexit.”

Eligible Scottish domiciled students will be able to apply for tuition fee support and living cost loan support for research courses beginning 2019/2020.

EU students will have access to the tuition fee element of this package, as they currently do for undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses.

Postgraduate support is demand-led. If a student applies for funding they will receive that funding, provided the course is eligible. More than 450 postgraduate students could benefit from this expanded support package.

Record number of students from deprived areas at university

Positive progress on equal access to higher education

A record number of full time first degree students at Scottish universities were from the most deprived areas in Scotland last year. 

New figures show that, in 2017/18, 15.6% of students entering university were from the 20% most deprived areas. This is 0.4% short of the Government’s target for 2021.

Last year also saw an increase in the total number of Scottish students enrolling in Scottish universities.

The statistics, published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), show the latest progress in the drive to widen access to higher education.

Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said: “These statistics highlight the good progress being made on widening access to higher education. I’m pleased to see more Scots going to university here and a record increase in entrants from our most deprived areas.

“Combined with recent UCAS statistics, this shows demonstrable progress towards giving every young person in Scotland an equal chance of success, no matter their background or circumstance.

“It is also great to see a record number of enrolments and an increased number of qualifications achieved in 2017/18. All of this speaks to the level of excellence found across our higher education institutions.”

Between 2016/17 and 2017/18:

  • Total Scottish domiciled students (undergraduate and postgraduate) at Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) increased by 1.2% to 160,875
  • The number of students (undergraduate and postgraduate) at Scottish HEIs increased by 2.1% to 247,110
  • Entrants (undergraduate and postgraduate) to Scottish HEIs increased by 3.2% to 104,520
  • EU and non-EU domiciled enrolments to Scottish HEIs increased by 1.7% and 5.1% respectively
  • Qualifiers from Scottish HEIs increased by 2.4% to 76,595

Following the Commission on Widening Access, a target was set that, by 2021, 16% of students entering university will be from Scotland’s most deprived backgrounds, increasing to 20% by 2030. At 15.6% for 2017/18, this is just 0.4 percentage points off the 2021 target.

The latest UCAS statistics from the 2018 End of Cycle Report showed an increase in acceptances for 18 year old students from deprived backgrounds.

The full set of information on 2017/18 enrolments published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency is available as an interactive publication.

 

 

Scottish delegation to make a stand against Brexit

Minister takes Scotland’s case to Brussels on eve of Westminster Brexit vote

Leading figures in education, research and science are taking the message to Brussels that Scotland’s universities remain open and welcoming.

Minister for Higher Education and Science Richard Lochhead will lead the Scottish delegation. The team will meet with EU partners and make the case that strong collaboration with researchers in EU countries and the rest of the world is hugely important for the future.

The Minister will underline that Scotland will continue to welcome EU citizens to study or work in our universities.  

Universities Scotland estimate Scotland’s universities are worth £11 billion gross to the economy. Scotland’s researchers and businesses are highly competitive when it comes to winning EU research and innovation funding from Horizon 2020 and other programmes.  

Speaking ahead of today’s meeting, Mr Lochhead said: “Scotland’s global reputation for ground-breaking research and innovation faces unprecedented risks.

“The message we are taking is simple: Scotland’s universities and research institutions are open and welcoming, and we maintain a strong commitment to research collaboration across Europe.

“The Scottish research community is standing together. We know that Scotland’s research has been strengthened by EU citizens working in Scotland, our membership of the European Union and our active participation in the Horizon 2020 programme. The benefits that such participation has provided cannot be underestimated and we will not stand by and see these benefits eroded and obstacles erected that undermine our future.”

Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland commented: “The quality of the research and eduction Scottish higher education delivers is strengthened because of the partnerships we have across the European Union.

“Those relationships are deeply important to us and that remains the case whatever the outcome of the Brexit process. It’s a message we need to keep repeating so it is not lost amidst the noise and chaos going on elsewhere and that’s why it is good to be out in Brussels this week.”

The delegation will consist of:

  • Richard Lochhead: Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science
  • Professor Sheila Rowan: Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland
  • Alastair Sim: Director, Universities Scotland
  • Professor Wayne Powell: Principal and Chief Executive, Scotland’s Rural College
  • Professor Tim Bedford: Associate Principal, University of Strathclyde
  • Dr Stuart Fancey: Director Research and Innovation, Scottish Funding Council

The Scottish Government published “Scotland’s Place in Europe: Science and Research” in November as part of the suite of papers in this series, illustrating the importance and value of research collaboration with the rest of Europe.

A joint statement was also issued last month from colleges, universities, trade unions and the Scottish Government, setting out a united approach to protecting the college and university sectors in Scotland from the worst effects of Brexit.

Scotland has proportionally more EU staff and students than the rest of the UK:

  • Around 9% of all university students are EU domiciled
  • 27% of full time research staff are EU nationals
  • EU nationals accounted for more than 75,000 college enrolments between 2012 and 2017

On average, 10% of Scottish universities’ research income comes from the EU.

Scotland has benefited from 558 million euros from the Horizon 2020 programme and 64 million euros from the Erasmus programme.

Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever.

Erasmus is an EU programme for education which allows young people to study abroad, and encourages UK organisations to collaborate with international partners.

The Scottish Government has already confirmed that eligible EU students currently studying here or starting a degree this year or next will continue to be eligible for free tuition.

 

Edinburgh College to hold post-exam results Course Clearing Event

Edinburgh College to hold post-exam results Course Clearing Event

Edinburgh College is hosting a Course Clearing Event this week to provide support and guidance to young people following SQA exam results day. The event is aimed at helping anyone who has received their results to work out what they want to do next and discover the right college course for them. Continue reading Edinburgh College to hold post-exam results Course Clearing Event

The Chanter raises a glass to University students

The Chanter, nestled near the heart of the university campus on Bread Street, will be offering users of its MORE loyalty card double points on their bubbly bottles this July – in honour of its student patrons. The promotion will run throughout the month, allowing everyone to take advantage, as they wave goodbye to exams and hello to the summer break. Continue reading The Chanter raises a glass to University students

Scotland’s colleges: improving picture but challenges remain

A deal to harmonise staff pay at a cost of £50m a year will absorb projected savings from the reform of Scotland’s colleges, says the Auditor General. Caroline Gardner’s annual report on colleges says the sector reported a very small surplus in its underlying financial position in 2016/17, compared to the previous year’s £8m deficit. Continue reading Scotland’s colleges: improving picture but challenges remain