SCOTTISH universities received more than £40 million of philanthropic donations last year, new figures show.

Almost 20,000 people gave to a Scottish institution in the last financial year, including a total of 14,328 alumni, according to The International Council for Advancement and Support of Education (Case).

Its research shows the average university north of the Border had 1591 donors during the course of the year, donating a total of almost £2.3m.

However, the numbers are small in comparison with the total income Scots universities receive – which topped £2.8 billion in 2011/12.

Universities have worked hard to develop a culture of philanthropy among graduates.

Karen Cairney, director of international development at Edinburgh Napier University, said: "We are in the fortunate position of receiving a large proportion of donations from non-alumni sources, but our alumni donors are also rising in number thanks to fundraising activities.

"Following a focus on countries such as Hong Kong and North America, our growing reach overseas has been reflected in our international donors."

Kate Hunter, executive director of Case Europe, stressed the growing importance of philanthropic giving to universities.

She said: "Donations to universities go towards everything from ground-breaking research, to world-class new facilities, to helping students, which is why so many people feel they're a worthwhile cause.

"It's good to see philanthropy continuing to make such an important contribution to higher education in Scotland, even though the wider economic picture is still a difficult one.

"As giving to higher education becomes more mainstream, we need to look at supporting all institutions to make the most of this opportunity and attract even more donors."

However, though Universities Scotland, which represents principals, welcomed the figures, officials do not believe it represents a significant shift in the culture of giving.

A spokeswoman said: "Encouraging and securing gifts and pledges from alumni and other benefactors continues to be important to all universities, but the culture of graduates giving to their universities still hasn't made it across the Atlantic in any significant way yet.

"It's not really a consideration for recent graduates trying to establish themselves in their careers and the impact of the recession can't be helping to change this mindset."

NUS Scotland, which represents students, said universities should not rely on such donations in the current climate.

Robin Parker, NUS Scotland's president, said: "In these hard economic times, particularly with graduates coming out with large debts from living costs, it is a big ask for them to donate.

"While it is good for graduates to give back if they can afford to, it should not be an expectation."

In the US, it is routine for ex-students to give money after they have graduated, in recognition of the benefits of their education, but the practice is far less popular in the UK.

Leading Scots universities such as Aberdeen, St Andrews and Edinburgh have embarked on major international campaigns to raise money through donations in recent years.

One technique adopted by universities to improve the situation is to use graduates as career mentors to support existing students.

As well as helping the undergraduates, it is hoped the practice will cement a relationship between the institution and the graduate that could later turn into financial support.