Universities

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A report on a Scottish citizens' jury showed strong support for retaining free tuition for higher education and investing more in colleges, although opinions were split over the necessary steps to take.

Citizens’ jury says higher education funding should be 'reprioritised'

A Scottish citizens’ jury has backed free tuition and shown support for greater investment in skills-based higher education delivered at colleges.

A new report shows a gap in the progression of students from low- and high-socioeconomic backgrounds into postgraduate studies in STEM.

A new report shows a gap in the progression of students from low- and high-socioeconomic backgrounds into postgraduate studies in STEM.

Research & Development

'Wake-up call' as low-income students missing out on research opportunities

Staff from the University of Edinburgh and University of Dundee demonstrate over proposed budget cuts outside Scottish Parliament on October 01, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Staff from the University of Edinburgh and University of Dundee demonstrate over proposed budget cuts outside Scottish Parliament on October 01, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

From Dundee to Edinburgh, Scotland’s universities need investment now

The Scottish Government has also written to a number of institutions, saying they must be aware of the risk of espionage on campus.

The Scottish Government has also written to a number of institutions, saying they must be aware of the risk of espionage on campus.

Scottish universities warned of espionage risk after MI5 alert on Chinese institute

Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, spoke to The Herald about his career before his controversial tenure at the ancient university.

Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, spoke to The Herald about his career before his controversial tenure at the ancient university.

Edinburgh University

'Every good thing that’s happened in my life is because of university'

Are American pensioners coming to study at Edinburgh University?

Are American pensioners coming to study at Edinburgh University?

Higher Education

American pensioners enrolling at Scottish universities to secure student visas

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, has been appointed to lead Pillar 2 of the Future Framework for the Sustainability and Success of Scotland’s Universities.

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, has been appointed to lead Pillar 2 of the Future Framework for the Sustainability and Success of Scotland’s Universities.

Universities in the UK

Leader announced for ‘radical’ next phase in university project

As universities begin to piece together a route to a sustainable future, the next phase of reform talks will consider all options – including mergers.

As universities begin to piece together a route to a sustainable future, the next phase of reform talks will consider all options – including mergers.

Scottish Government

‘No red lines, nothing off the table’ in university transformation talks

University of Edinburgh Principal Professor Sir Peter Mathieson has announced he will not seek a third term in 2028.

University of Edinburgh Principal Professor Sir Peter Mathieson has announced he will not seek a third term in 2028.

Edinburgh University

'If I got hit by a bus, things wouldn't change': Edinburgh principal on departure

Many colleges and universities are in deficit, and more are expected to be in the future. But their names are being withheld.

Many colleges and universities are in deficit, and more are expected to be in the future. But their names are being withheld.

The State of Scotland's Colleges

I can't name the 27 colleges and universities forecasting deficits – here is why

Scottish colleges and universities face growing financial risks according to the latest annual sustainability reports.

Scottish colleges and universities face growing financial risks according to the latest annual sustainability reports.

Two-thirds of Scottish colleges and universities forecast deficits

The ongoing dispute at the University of Edinburgh fits into the wider debate about the purpose and nature of a modern university.

The ongoing dispute at the University of Edinburgh fits into the wider debate about the purpose and nature of a modern university.

Edinburgh University

Time will tell the truth of the two sides in Edinburgh's restructuring battle

Instead of an attack on humanities, school leaders said programe closures will not reduce teaching in the affected subject areas and that courses will remain in many cases.

Instead of an attack on humanities, school leaders said programe closures will not reduce teaching in the affected subject areas and that courses will remain in many cases.

Edinburgh University

University leaders separate controversial programme closures from teaching

New grant scheme supports more than 100 Scots to pursue postgraduate study

University of Dundee

University of Dundee

Higher Education

Dundee University staff begin five-week strike over compulsory redundancies

Ammar Elhoweris, Scensai.

Ammar Elhoweris, Scensai.

Record 15 Scottish universities shortlisted for £410,000 Converge Awards fund

The EAIE Glasgow 2026 drew 'record-breaking' attendance, with visitors from 107 countries visiting the SEC over four days.

The EAIE Glasgow 2026 drew 'record-breaking' attendance, with visitors from 107 countries visiting the SEC over four days.

Scottish universities are said to be in crisis. What I found in Glasgow surprised me

In a challenging job market, Shelagh Green, Director of the University of Edinburgh's Careers Service, advises graduates to sell their full range of skills and personality, and not just their degree titles.

In a challenging job market, Shelagh Green, Director of the University of Edinburgh's Careers Service, advises graduates to sell their full range of skills and personality, and not just their degree titles.

Expert says personality is key to navigating the AI-infused job market

Hundreds of St Andrews students take part in centuries-old tradition

Edinburgh University

Union says university solutions should not 'exploit' or 'undervalue' staff

Sir Peter Mathieson's bold views on the future of university funding

Sir Peter Mathieson's bold views on the future of university funding

Universities are a jewel in Scotland’s crown - but they cannot survive as they are

Controversial proposals to end undergraduate maths-only degrees at the University of Dundee have been sidelined while the programme is

Controversial proposals to end undergraduate maths-only degrees at the University of Dundee have been sidelined while the programme is

Dundee University

Why Dundee University has backed away from one of its most controversial plans

Polling shows support for prioritising vocational education, but that does not necessarily mean prioritising colleges over universities.

Polling shows support for prioritising vocational education, but that does not necessarily mean prioritising colleges over universities.

Vocational education gains ground as universities face funding pressure

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on whether mobile phones should be banned in schools

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on whether mobile phones should be banned in schools

For goodness sake, move with the times. Mobile phones can be a huge asset in schools

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli led a project to quantify the funding gap facing Scottish universities.

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli led a project to quantify the funding gap facing Scottish universities.

Anton Muscatelli

Sir Anton Muscatelli: Universities have ‘run out of runway’ on funding

Scottish universities face an uncertain financial future, and the Scottish Government has just been handed a report that could force it to confront the issue head-on.

Scottish universities face an uncertain financial future, and the Scottish Government has just been handed a report that could force it to confront the issue head-on.

Scottish Government

Why Scottish Government faces tough truths in new university funding analysis

The university sector's total gap between income and actual cost has been quantified for the first time, resulting in a

The university sector's total gap between income and actual cost has been quantified for the first time, resulting in a

Scottish Government

The £200m hole at the heart of Scotland's university system - what happens next?

Robin Macpherson, Head of College at Robert Gordon’s College, has raised concerns about a trend of declining acceptance rates for Scottish applicants to Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Robin Macpherson, Head of College at Robert Gordon’s College, has raised concerns about a trend of declining acceptance rates for Scottish applicants to Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Cambridge University

Are pupils in Scotland at an Oxbridge disadvantage?

The path to Cambridge and Oxford is growing thinner for Scottish applicants, according to recent admissions data.

The path to Cambridge and Oxford is growing thinner for Scottish applicants, according to recent admissions data.

Cambridge University

The Oxbridge gap: Scottish students face the UK's lowest success rates

'We delve into the growing difficulties of recruiting teachers to Scotland's secondary schools and the consequences that staffing shortages are likely to create'

'We delve into the growing difficulties of recruiting teachers to Scotland's secondary schools and the consequences that staffing shortages are likely to create'

Coming Thursday: the Education HQ stories Scotland will be talking about

The number of students coming from the EU has dropped (stock pic)

The number of students coming from the EU has dropped (stock pic)

SNP: Scotland’s universities ‘hammered’ by post-Brexit drop in EU students

Reports earlier this year that Heriot-Watt University was at capacity for Scottish student places reignited questions about whether international students are taking places from qualified Scots.

Reports earlier this year that Heriot-Watt University was at capacity for Scottish student places reignited questions about whether international students are taking places from qualified Scots.

Heriot-Watt University

Explained: International students are not taking Scots' places at university

Charles Scott prize winners 2026.

Charles Scott prize winners 2026.

Scotland's top accountancy students recognised with prestigious Charles Scott Prize

The Universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and many others are mulling changes to their offering. Pupils need transparency about these decisions to plan for their futures.

The Universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and many others are mulling changes to their offering. Pupils need transparency about these decisions to plan for their futures.

Young people depend on universities being honest about cost-cutting plans

The University of Aberdeen is targeting new minimum staff-student ratios for courses, but attempts to see the details behind this plan have been denied.

The University of Aberdeen is targeting new minimum staff-student ratios for courses, but attempts to see the details behind this plan have been denied.

Aberdeen University

University refuses to publish 'controversial' data behind savings plan

Universities' once reliable source of income has become unpredictable, raising fundamental questions about the shape and size of the sector.

Universities' once reliable source of income has become unpredictable, raising fundamental questions about the shape and size of the sector.

Higher Education

The international student boom transformed Scottish universities - now what?

Over a decade, Scottish universities relied on tuition fees from international recruits for one type of postgraduate degree. Two years ago, the bubble burst.

Over a decade, Scottish universities relied on tuition fees from international recruits for one type of postgraduate degree. Two years ago, the bubble burst.

Aberdeen University

University crisis: How one degree type burst the international student bubble

Merchiston Castle

Merchiston Castle

Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh Napier University 'looking to sell' historic campus

Questions about the cost of a university degree are intrinsically linked to questions about who they are for and why they exist.

Questions about the cost of a university degree are intrinsically linked to questions about who they are for and why they exist.

The American crackdown on student loans and the value of a Scottish degree

The Scottish Government's reform programme for post-school education has been handed a highly-critical review by Audit Scotland.

The Scottish Government's reform programme for post-school education has been handed a highly-critical review by Audit Scotland.

Watchdog flags government's lack of clear plan for education reform

The Scottish Government's Higher and Further Education Minister is now the Tertiary Education Minister – is this semantics, or the change that some stakeholders have been calling for?

The Scottish Government's Higher and Further Education Minister is now the Tertiary Education Minister – is this semantics, or the change that some stakeholders have been calling for?

The small title change that could reshape Scotland's colleges and universities

'Scottish higher education has for centuries been at the forefront of embracing its place in the world'

'Scottish higher education has for centuries been at the forefront of embracing its place in the world'

Global Scottish alumni: how international graduates can power Scotland’s future

As staff and management battle over the shape of the university sector, it's worth remembering the cost students have to pay in the deliberations.

As staff and management battle over the shape of the university sector, it's worth remembering the cost students have to pay in the deliberations.

The university fight has three sides and one clear loser

Glasgow Caledonian University Principal and Vice Chancellor Professor Mairi Watson sees the sector's funding crisis as a call to focus on universities' collective mission to serve.

Glasgow Caledonian University Principal and Vice Chancellor Professor Mairi Watson sees the sector's funding crisis as a call to focus on universities' collective mission to serve.

From prison officer to university principal - an unorthodox path to a hot seat

The graduate jobs market is tough at the moment.

The graduate jobs market is tough at the moment.

At last some uplifting news in a tough graduate jobs market

Mark Ellis and Peter Lawson highlighted the strength of the financial performance.

Mark Ellis and Peter Lawson highlighted the strength of the financial performance.

Law firm tops £100m and highlights 'fantastic' Scottish universities

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli and Susan Murray are chairing the important first pillars of a project to bring stability and sustainability to Scottish universities.

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli and Susan Murray are chairing the important first pillars of a project to bring stability and sustainability to Scottish universities.

Anton Muscatelli

Sector leaders outline first steps towards securing Scotland's universities

Policymakers must remember that thriving universities make for a thriving NHS

Leading academics and medical professionals have called attention to the ties between universities and the NHS,.

Leading academics and medical professionals have called attention to the ties between universities and the NHS,.

Struggling universities will mean a struggling NHS, top academics argue

The Glasgow Caledonian University principal has drawn a direct line between a drop in international students and jobs that could be impacted by a proposed savings plan.

The Glasgow Caledonian University principal has drawn a direct line between a drop in international students and jobs that could be impacted by a proposed savings plan.

GCU boss laments 'the work is not there' for jobs linked to international students

Edinburgh University union representatives have called for a marking boycott, and the university has announced plans to dock full pay from those who take part.

Edinburgh University union representatives have called for a marking boycott, and the university has announced plans to dock full pay from those who take part.

Edinburgh University

University threatens to dock pay if staff join marking boycott

Aberdeen University is considering resizing and restructuring to meet a £12 million deficit.

Aberdeen University is considering resizing and restructuring to meet a £12 million deficit.

Aberdeen University

University pauses recruitment to 21 courses while pondering further downsizing

Sources have raised concerns about a contract at the University of Edinburgh.

Sources have raised concerns about a contract at the University of Edinburgh.

Universities in the UK

Edinburgh University spends £200k on consultants during cost-cutting drive

Striking UCU members hosted an election hustings this week.

Striking UCU members hosted an election hustings this week.

2026 Holyrood election

'Dundee toppled before the others did’: Parties debate university model