Universities Scotland

Hello Bluesky! 👋

We’re excited to join the conversation.

Follow along for updates, insights and opportunities across international higher education. 🌍🎓

🎉Congratulations to Professor Mairi Watson who will take on the role of Principal at @glasgowcaledonian.bsky.social
on 1 February! Look forward to working with you in this new role.

🥳Congratulations to Professor Edwards who will take on the role of Principal at @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social from 1 November!

We look forward to continuing to work with you within your new role.

Sir Geoff Palmer Memorial Scholarship Join us in celebrating the legacy of our late Chancellor with a gift to the Sir Geoff Palmer Memorial Scholarship. Your gift today will allow a student of Jamaican descent or citizenship to follow in ...

In tribute to Sir Geoff, the University has created a new scholarship in his honour. The Sir Geoff Palmer Memorial Scholarship will allow a student of Jamaican descent or citizenship to follow in his footsteps.

Read more below⬇️
www.justgiving.com/campaign/sir...

Today @heriotwattuni.bsky.social hosted a memorial in celebration of the life of Sir Geoff Palmer, former Chancellor of the University and renowned scientist and humanitarian. The memorial reflected on the life, work and legacy of Sir Geoff who inspired so many & will be sorely missed by all

Great to meet new HE and FE Minister @benmacpherson.bsky.social and to hear of his
support of Minister Dey's ambition for graduate apprenticeships in the TET Bill. The Bill's transfer of powers will allow for greater agility for skills & growth.

Read more⬇️
tinyurl.com/2vy5ek5n

🆕Scotland's first national innovation week is here!

This week is a celebration of Scotland’s world-leading innovation, of which universities are key players.

Find out more about what's going on this week below⬇️
innovationweek.campaign.gov.scot

Infographic on a blue background reading: Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC). A partnership between five Scottish universities. 39 industry projects delivered £7.5m in new investment secured for firms 170 Scottish companies supported 42 high-value jobs created

🌟How a partnership between 5 Scottish unis is helping to remove barriers for med-tech ideas to reach patients.

See more: loom.ly/b-SiLqo

#DegreesOfImpact @dundee.ac.uk @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social @uofglasgow.bsky.social @robertgordonuni.bsky.social @heriotwattuni.bsky.social @uniscot.bsky.social

🆕📅Scotland's National Innovation week is almost here, starting on Monday 22 September!

During Innovation week, we'll be sharing some key facts about innovation at Scotland's universities, stay tuned...

A warm welcome to our new member, Professor Stephen McArthur who today takes on the Principal role at
@unistrathclyde.bsky.social 👏.

We look forward to working with you in your new role.

Record number of Scottish young people achieving a place at university — Universities Scotland

🆕📚A record number of Scottish young people have secured a place at university‼️Very welcome news on SQA results day.

Read more on our website⬇️
www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/sqa25/

Good luck to all students receiving exam results on Tuesday! 🤞

If you have questions about your funding application, SAAS can help advise.

⬇️Book a place on their free Exam Results drop in session
www.tickettailor.com/events/stude...

A huge thank you to Sir Paul Grice, who has been our Interim Convener since December. Paul returns to the Vice Convener role for another year.

University of the West of Scotland Principal, Professor James Miller FRSE, is elected Universities Scotland’s next Convener — Universities Scotland

‼️Today, Professor James Miller, Principal of @uniwestscotland.bsky.social officially becomes our Convener!🎉 We are looking forward to working closely with Professor Miller over the next two years.

Read more on our website⬇️
www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/convener25/

Scotland’s Quiet Crisis: Why Clinical Research Needs Urgent Rescue — Universities Scotland

📰🆕The heads of Scotland's five medical schools have co-authored a piece highlighting the quiet crisis facing clinical research in Scotland. You can read the full piece below on our website⬇️
www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/clinicalacad...

Prosper puts universities at the heart of policy recommendations underpinning growth in turbulent times — Universities Scotland

🆕📰Prosper has launched a policy blueprint focused on unlocking growth. Some recommendations include setting up a review of HE funding and committing to 10-year funding for research & development and support innovation.

Read the full blueprint⤵️
universities-scotland.ac.uk/scotblueprint/

🚨‼️Students, don't forget to apply for your student funding through SAAS by 30 June to guarantee you receive your funding in time for your course starting‼️

Are we fair yet? — Universities Scotland

Both documents offer advice for applicants as well as detailing a set of agreed principles for the sector to uphold. With many thanks to colleagues from across the sector, including @advancehe.bsky.social and Lead Scotland.

www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/are-we-fair-...

Admissions: Updating guidance on how Scottish universities aim to be fair — Universities Scotland

Updated from 2019, the Guarantee of Fairness has been reviewed and extended:
www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/publications...

Supporting disabled learners applying to university in Scotland — Universities Scotland

✍️ Today we have published two documents to help learners applying to university in Scotland: a Guarantee of Fairness and Support for Disabled Applicants guide.

www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/publications...

Today we were at the Scottish Parliament for the Colleges and Universities Cross-Party Group where we heard from Francesca Osowska, Chief Executive of the @scotfundcouncil.bsky.social. A fantastic and insightful presentation and discussion from members👏

We'd like to thank Susan Stewart who retires as Director of @ouscotland.bsky.social this week for all your hard work over the last 9 years for the sector and for Universities Scotland! It has been a pleasure to work with you within your roles at US and OUiS, we wish you all the best for the future!

🆕📢Today we are delighted to announce that Professor James Miller, Principal at @uniwestscotland.bsky.social has been elected as our next Convener, taking up the role from 1 August 2025.

Read more on our website⬇️
universities-scotland.ac.uk/convener25/

🆕This week the Interface Online Knowledge Exchange Awards took place where institutions all across Scotland won awards for their fantastic work in net zero, social enterprise and many other categories. This is a fantastic achievement for our members, congrats to all!🎉

New student data from HESA shows sudden, sharp falls in international students coming to Scotland’s universities — Universities Scotland

Read more on our website⬇️. (4/4)
www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/hesastudent25/

Positively, the data shows that 16.7% of full-time first-degree entrants to Scottish universities came from the nation’s 20% most deprived areas, an increase from 16.3% in 22/23 and a step towards the 2030 targets. (3/4)

The sharpest fall amongst international students has occurred at post graduate taught level (masters courses), with a 25.7% sector average year-to-year drop between 22/23 and 23/24. (2/4)

🆕New data on university students out today for academic year 2023/24 confirms the fall in international numbers as experienced by universities across Scotland and the UK, falling by 9,380 compared to 2022/23. (1/4)

Abertay University ranked top International School for video games design

🙌Brilliant news from Abertay University being ranked as the top International School for video game design. A very well deserved achievement!

Read more on this on Abertay's website⬇️
www.abertay.ac.uk/news/2025/ab...

This is a phenomenal success. Even more so given the very real challenges facing all HEIs, including RCS. Great to have something to celebrate. Well done to absolutely everyone involved. We know the passion in your institution. 🥳🏆