Universities and Scotland

Scottish Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 5 Aug 2020 Closed: 22 Apr 2022 Parliament page
The future funding of Scotland’s universities and fees for overseas and non-EU students will be the subject of this inquiry. The Committee will also use this inquiry as an opportunity to examine the impact policies made in Whitehall will have on Scottish Universities, their students, their employees and on research. … Read more
29 Recommendations
122 Conclusions
1 Report
7 Oral sessions
4 Letters
11 Events
Activity timeline 17 events
16 May
2022
Correspondence
27 Apr
2022
Report published
27 Apr
2022
Correspondence
7 Mar
2022
Correspondence
2 Mar
2022
Correspondence
28 May
2021
Report published
28 May
2021
Informal meeting · Virtual meeting
19 May
2021
Formal meeting (private meeting) · Virtual meeting
25 Feb
2021
Oral evidence
2 Feb
2021
Outreach event · Virtual Meeting
28 Jan
2021
Oral evidence
13 Jan
2021
Outreach event · Virtual meeting
Oral evidence sessions 7 sessions
25 Feb 2021
View on parliament.uk
Iain Stewart MP · Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland Rebecca Hackett · Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
28 Jan 2021
View on parliament.uk
Lauren McNamara · Student Awards Agency Scotland Richard Lochhead MSP · Scottish Government Roddy Macdonald · Scottish Government
9 Dec 2020
View on parliament.uk
Professor Nigel Seaton · Abertay University Professor Tim Bedford · University of Strathclyde Rachel Sandison · University of Glasgow
25 Nov 2020
View on parliament.uk
Professor Chris Pearce · University of Glasgow Professor Katherine Smith · University of Strathclyde Professor Rebecca Lunn MBE · University of Strathclyde
11 Nov 2020
View on parliament.uk
Dr Stuart Fancey · Scottish Funding Council Karen Watt · Scottish Funding Council
21 Oct 2020
View on parliament.uk
Mary Senior · University and College Union Scotland Matt Crilly · NUS Scotland
8 Oct 2020
View on parliament.uk
Alastair Sim · Universities Scotland Dr Vicky Johnson · University of the Highlands and Islands Professor James Conroy · University of Glasgow
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Universities and Scotland HC 54 28 May 2021 151 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
42 results
Clear
4 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
EU students paying international student rates can provide a new and potentially lucrative income stream...
EU students paying international student rates can provide a new and potentially lucrative income stream for Scottish universities, though this new income stream may face the same risks posed to fees from international students. Although applications from EU students have … Read more
Government Response
The government's response highlights increased overall international student visa grants and new Student and Graduate visa routes, but does not commit to a new or expanded scholarship scheme specifically for EU students or increased funding for Study UK to target EU students.
Scotland Office
View details
5 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Students in Scotland, as with so many groups, faced unprecedented challenges over the course of...
Students in Scotland, as with so many groups, faced unprecedented challenges over the course of the pandemic. Whilst we welcome the investments the Scottish Government has made in student wellbeing and mental health during this period, we have heard evidence … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses the Turing Scheme and international educational mobility, failing to address the recommendation regarding mental health services for university students in Scotland.
Scotland Office
View details
6 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Scottish universities are dependent on immigration decisions made at UK-level but have limited opportunities to...
Scottish universities are dependent on immigration decisions made at UK-level but have limited opportunities to influence those decision-making processes. Given that the UK and Scottish Governments both recognise the importance of reflecting Scottish interests in UK immigration policies, the UK … Read more
Government Response
The government's response for this item focused on the Turing Scheme and Erasmus+ and did not address the recommendation to submit a full formal response to the predecessor Committee’s 2018 report on Immigration and Scotland.
Scotland Office
View details
7 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Until 17 December 2020, one week before the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was reached,...
Until 17 December 2020, one week before the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was reached, the UK Government was reassuring Parliament that UK participation in Erasmus+ was intended to be included within the UK-EU deal. Given that Erasmus+ disproportionally benefited … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details its plans for R&D funding and Official Development Assistance (ODA) spending, failing to address the committee's comments on the Turing Scheme or the International Education Strategy.
Scotland Office
View details
8 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
We note with regret however that the Turing scheme will not—as currently envisaged—support inward placements...
We note with regret however that the Turing scheme will not—as currently envisaged—support inward placements to the UK. As the Government recognises, as well as providing Scottish universities and local economies with an important income source, inward placements support the … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses UKRI board appointments and governance structures, but does not address the recommendation to continue and expand the Turing Scheme to include funding for international student and academic staff inward placements.
Scotland Office
View details
9 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
The Scottish Government has indicated a desire to remain in the Erasmus+ programme.
The Scottish Government has indicated a desire to remain in the Erasmus+ programme. Should they decide to continue down this path and be willing to cover the associated costs, and should the EU consent to Scottish participation, the UK Government … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focused solely on the UK's association with Horizon Europe and the delays encountered from the EU, completely failing to address the recommendation regarding the Scottish Government's desire to remain in the Erasmus+ programme.
Scotland Office
View details
10 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
The UK Government should be praised for its UK Research and Development Roadmap, especially the...
The UK Government should be praised for its UK Research and Development Roadmap, especially the commitment to reach 2.4% of GDP spend in this area, which has been extensively welcomed by academic institutions in Scotland. The UK Government should ensure … Read more
Government Response
The government's response did not address the recommendation to ensure that UK Research and Development Roadmap commitments are not derailed by the temporary reduction in UK ODA spend, instead focusing entirely on visa fees and immigration policies.
Scotland Office
View details
11 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
The work of Scottish universities in combating covid-19 has been nothing short of remarkable.
The work of Scottish universities in combating covid-19 has been nothing short of remarkable. Going forward, the academic outputs of Scottish universities will not only support our economic recovery following the pandemic but also bolster the UK’s standing in the … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses immigration policies and the Office for Talent, completely failing to address the recommendation regarding Scottish representation on UKRI boards and Executive Committee.
Scotland Office
View details
13 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Scottish universities are inherently international institutions; international collaborations play a big part in their successes.
Scottish universities are inherently international institutions; international collaborations play a big part in their successes. In addition, Scottish universities act as much-valued international hubs in their local communities, bringing important cultural benefits. Scottish universities’ internationalisation agenda should therefore be supported. … Read more
Government Response
The government's response did not address the specific recommendations concerning reducing visa costs for international researchers and their families, justifying high fees, or taking a pragmatic approach to researcher visa extensions.
Scotland Office
View details
17 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Although there is no formal cap on the number of Scottish students who can study...
Although there is no formal cap on the number of Scottish students who can study at Scottish universities, in order to budget effectively, the Scottish Government predefines the funding it provides to Scottish universities each year to cover the cost … Read more
Government Response
The government states that higher education in Scotland is largely a devolved responsibility and outlines its ongoing engagement with the Scottish Government. It also highlights its International Education Strategy and the Graduate Route to help universities diversify student recruitment, but does not directly address the explanation of the unofficial cap on Scottish student places.
Scotland Office
View details
18 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
As students pay for their own tuition in other parts of the UK, a similar...
As students pay for their own tuition in other parts of the UK, a similar cap does not exist elsewhere (other than for a temporary period during the covid-19 pandemic).29 It was reported in 2020 that, for the previous academic … Read more
Government Response
The government states that higher education in Scotland is largely a devolved responsibility and outlines its ongoing engagement with the Scottish Government. It also highlights its International Education Strategy and the Graduate Route to help universities diversify student recruitment, but does not address the unofficial cap on Scottish student places.
Scotland Office
View details
22 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Audit Scotland found that although Scottish Government funding to the SFC for universities increased by...
Audit Scotland found that although Scottish Government funding to the SFC for universities increased by 0.1% in cash terms from £1.116 billion in 2014–15 to £1.117 billion in 2017–18, this equated to a real terms reduction of 5%.38 Taken together … Read more
Government Response
The government states that higher education in Scotland is largely a devolved responsibility and emphasizes its continued engagement with the Scottish Government. It also highlights its International Education Strategy and the Graduate Route to help universities diversify income, but does not directly address the Scottish Government funding reductions.
Scotland Office
View details
27 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
In the early months of the covid-19 pandemic there was a great deal of concern...
In the early months of the covid-19 pandemic there was a great deal of concern around the financial impact it would have on university finances. Concern was not only confined to the universities already struggling and with deficits and low … Read more
Government Response
The government's response reiterates that higher education is a devolved responsibility and emphasizes the importance of continuing close working relationships with the Scottish Government, without directly addressing the initial financial concerns and expected deficits for Scottish universities during the pandemic.
Scotland Office
View details
29 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
In terms of the impact of the UK Government interventions, and collaboration between the two...
In terms of the impact of the UK Government interventions, and collaboration between the two Governments, we were told by Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, that: 66 HMG, UK Government to fund international Covid-19 studies in … Read more
Government Response
The government's response reiterates that higher education is a devolved responsibility and emphasizes the importance of continuing close working relationships with the Scottish Government, without directly engaging with the committee's observations on the take-up rates of UK Government loan schemes.
Scotland Office
View details
30 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
We heard however from Professor Rebecca Lunn, University of Strathclyde, that each university had taken...
We heard however from Professor Rebecca Lunn, University of Strathclyde, that each university had taken a different line on whether to furlough staff because the information coming out of UK Government departments and UKRI was “completely different for months”.75 She … Read more
Government Response
The government's response reiterates that higher education is a devolved responsibility and emphasizes the importance of continuing close working relationships with the Scottish Government, without directly addressing the criticism regarding unclear communication around the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Scotland Office
View details
31 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Another criticism we heard of UK Government/UKRI support packages, including from Professor Chris Pearce, University...
Another criticism we heard of UK Government/UKRI support packages, including from Professor Chris Pearce, University of Glasgow,80 Professor Rebecca Lunn, University of Strathclyde81 and Mary Senior, University and College Union Scotland,82 was that they were too prescriptive and too tied … Read more
Government Response
The government's response reiterates that higher education is a devolved responsibility and emphasizes the importance of continuing close working relationships with the Scottish Government, without directly addressing the criticism that UK Government/UKRI support packages were too prescriptive.
Scotland Office
View details
38 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
In mid-2020 insolvency was a very real prospect facing a number of universities in Scotland.
In mid-2020 insolvency was a very real prospect facing a number of universities in Scotland. Both the UK and Scottish Governments should be congratulated on their efforts and significant financial investments into Scottish universities in response to the pandemic. It … Read more
Government Response
The government's response reiterates that higher education is a devolved responsibility and emphasizes the importance of continuing close working relationships with the Scottish Government, without directly addressing the committee's commendation or the Scottish Government's commitment regarding university insolvency.
Scotland Office
View details
56 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
For 2021–22, as EU students will now need to pay international student fees and immigration...
For 2021–22, as EU students will now need to pay international student fees and immigration costs, Scottish universities were expecting in December 2020 an 80% drop in EU student numbers.132 However, UCAS data from 18 February 2021 shows that applications … Read more
Government Response
The government provided general statements about welcoming European students and promoting UK education but did not specifically address the committee's observations regarding the 40% drop in EU student applications to Scottish universities for 2021-22.
Scotland Office
View details
57 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Not only are the international student rates that EU students will now be paying to...
Not only are the international student rates that EU students will now be paying to Scottish universities higher than the amount Scottish universities currently receive for EU students from SAAS, but they are also higher than the rates students from … Read more
Government Response
The government discusses its International Education Strategy, its targets for international student numbers, and existing global scholarship programmes, without directly addressing the changes in tuition fees for EU students in Scotland or the Scottish Government's funding decisions.
Scotland Office
View details
61 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Minister Lochhead told us that the Scottish Government are looking at how they can maintain...
Minister Lochhead told us that the Scottish Government are looking at how they can maintain a European presence on Scottish campuses and have given a commitment to look at the idea of extra scholarships targeted at European countries.146
Government Response
The government described its overall international education strategy and existing global scholarship programmes that support international students across the UK, but did not specifically address the Scottish Government's intent to offer additional scholarships targeted at European countries.
Scotland Office
View details
64 Conclusion
First Report - Universities and Sc…
As Matt Crilly, President of NUS Scotland, pointed out to us, an important factor is...
As Matt Crilly, President of NUS Scotland, pointed out to us, an important factor is that the areas of the economy worst hit by the pandemic—particularly the hospitality sector—are the same areas of the economy that students typically rely on … Read more
Scotland Office
View details
65 Conclusion
First Report - Universities and Sc…
In January 2021, we met with university students as part of an outreach event.
In January 2021, we met with university students as part of an outreach event. Feedback from them included: “Even before the pandemic there were issues around the cost of living; student loan covers accommodation not food. The impact of the … Read more
Scotland Office
View details
66 Conclusion
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Commenting on the transition to digital working, Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding...
Commenting on the transition to digital working, Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, made the point to us that not all students are digital native and that “alongside whatever shifts we see, [the SFC] have to deal … Read more
Scotland Office
View details
67 Conclusion
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Mental health has been flagged to us as a particular area of concern.
Mental health has been flagged to us as a particular area of concern. We have heard that students tend to suffer poor mental health at higher rates than the rest of the adult population.154 Matt Crilly, President of NUS Scotland, … Read more
Scotland Office
View details
68 Conclusion
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Now, with the effects of covid-19, NUS Scotland have found that students’ mental health has...
Now, with the effects of covid-19, NUS Scotland have found that students’ mental health has further declined.157 For example, students in self-isolation, in halls of residence, trying to come to terms with where they are, what they are trying to … Read more
Scotland Office
View details
69 Conclusion
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, told the Committee that the pandemic had also “been...
Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, told the Committee that the pandemic had also “been an incredibly difficult time for staff”.160 Dr Vicky Johnson stated that: [ … ] a lot of the senior management teams [ … ] are … Read more
Scotland Office
View details
70 Conclusion
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, told us that: We...
Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, told us that: We have recognised that the pandemic is making life so difficult for many students. [ … ] we have been [ … ] working really hard … Read more
Scotland Office
View details
71 Conclusion
First Report - Universities and Sc…
In terms of lessons learnt from 2020, the Minister went on to say: We set...
In terms of lessons learnt from 2020, the Minister went on to say: We set up a taskforce [ … ] to look at the hardship issues and hardship funds, and [ … ] we also want to set up … Read more
Scotland Office
View details
72 Conclusion
First Report - Universities and Sc…
On 25 February 2021, the Scottish Government announced an additional £4.4million to provide further mental...
On 25 February 2021, the Scottish Government announced an additional £4.4million to provide further mental health and wellbeing services to college students and staff as they deal with the impact of the pandemic, but this funding was not made available … Read more
Scotland Office
View details
73 Conclusion
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Students in Scotland, as with so many groups, faced unprecedented challenges over the course of...
Students in Scotland, as with so many groups, faced unprecedented challenges over the course of the pandemic. Whilst we welcome the investments the Scottish Government has made in student wellbeing and mental health during this period, we have heard evidence … Read more
Scotland Office
View details
93 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
In oral evidence Minister Lochhead also expressed concerns to us about the UK Government’s motivations...
In oral evidence Minister Lochhead also expressed concerns to us about the UK Government’s motivations behind the decision to withdraw from Erasmus+: I am suspicious that the UK Government felt the Erasmus scheme was symbolic of close ties with Europe. … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focused on continued funding and development of the Turing Scheme, but did not address Minister Lochhead's concerns about the UK Government's motivations for withdrawing from Erasmus+.
Scotland Office
View details
112 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Dr Stuart Fancey, Director of Research and Innovation, Scottish Funding Council, told us that both...
Dr Stuart Fancey, Director of Research and Innovation, Scottish Funding Council, told us that both the sources of research funding, and the scale of research activity, varied “enormously” across Scottish universities.250 He told us that the Scottish Funding Council provides … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details its processes for appointing a balanced UKRI Board and its engagement with Devolved Administrations, but does not address the committee's observations regarding the varied funding sources for Scottish universities or their reliance on cross-subsidisation of academic research.
Scotland Office
View details
113 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
According to Audit Scotland, the formula-based funding models for the core grants for teaching and...
According to Audit Scotland, the formula-based funding models for the core grants for teaching and research are “widely accepted” by the sector because they provide “transparency, understanding and are perceived by the sector to be fair.”253 However, when the Scottish … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on UKRI board appointments and engagement with devolved administrations, which does not address the conclusion about funding models, cost recovery rates, or the debate around increasing the 80% full economic cost for UKRI-funded research.
Scotland Office
View details
122 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Iain Stewart MP, Minister for Scotland, told us that that Scottish universities were “punching way...
Iain Stewart MP, Minister for Scotland, told us that that Scottish universities were “punching way above their weight” in terms of receipt of UKRI funding.283 He went on to say that “Scotland’s approximate share of the UK is 8% in … Read more
Government Response
The government describes its process for appointing a balanced UKRI Board and its engagement mechanisms, but fails to address the committee's finding about Scotland's historically poor success and low share of the UKRI Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.
Scotland Office
View details
124 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Other criticisms of UKRI funding brought to our attention included, from Dr Vicky Johnson, University...
Other criticisms of UKRI funding brought to our attention included, from Dr Vicky Johnson, University of the Highlands, that its “money tends to go to the older universities, and not the post-1992s or the very new universities”.290 Also, from Professor … Read more
Government Response
The government describes its process for appointing a balanced UKRI Board and its mechanisms for engaging with Devolved Administrations and stakeholders to understand the UK R&D landscape, but does not address the specific criticisms about funding bias towards older universities or based on gender, ethnicity, and age.
Scotland Office
View details
129 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Minister Stewart also made the point that the UK Government has established, between the Department...
Minister Stewart also made the point that the UK Government has established, between the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, a Ministerial Taskforce looking at the sustainability of research funding.303 The Minister pointed out … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details UKRI board appointment processes and the structure of Research England within UKRI, failing to address the observation about Scottish Government input into a Ministerial Taskforce on research funding.
Scotland Office
View details
140 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Scottish academic research also has great success internationally.
Scottish academic research also has great success internationally. The RSE Young Academy of Scotland told us that Scotland’s researchers publish extensively outside Scotland (89% Scotland vs UK 72%) through “high impact collaborations”.330 Professor Chris Pearce, University of Glasgow, also noted … Read more
Government Response
The government's response described the appointment process for the UKRI Board, how devolved nation experience is considered, and the integration of Research England, but did not directly address the committee's observation regarding the international success and collaborative nature of Scottish academic research.
Scotland Office
View details
141 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Rachel Sandison, University of Glasgow, told us that Scottish international research is a powerful tool...
Rachel Sandison, University of Glasgow, told us that Scottish international research is a powerful tool for international collaboration and connections, with 57% of publications currently involving international collaboration, so “ensuring that the framework exists to allow that success to continue … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details UKRI board appointment processes and the structure of Research England within UKRI, but does not address the committee's observation about ensuring a framework for continued Scottish international research collaboration.
Scotland Office
View details
142 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
On UK immigration and visa policies, and the implications these have on academic research in...
On UK immigration and visa policies, and the implications these have on academic research in Scotland, Minister Lochhead told us that the Scottish Government was working with the UK Government to make it easier for international researchers to come to … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focused solely on justifying UK visa fees and keeping them under review, failing to address the stated concern about extending visa validity for international researchers or collaboration with the Scottish Government on this issue.
Scotland Office
View details
147 Recommendation Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Scottish universities are inherently international institutions; international collaborations play a big part in their successes.
Scottish universities are inherently international institutions; international collaborations play a big part in their successes. In addition, Scottish universities act as much-valued international hubs in their local communities, bringing important cultural benefits. Scottish universities’ internationalisation agenda should therefore be supported. … Read more
Government Response
The government's response for this item explicitly addresses recommendation 151 (ID 19691), rather than the recommendation to reduce the cost of visas for international researchers, justify high fees, or take a pragmatic approach to extensions.
Scotland Office
View details
148 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
As our predecessor Committee noted in its Report on Immigration and Scotland, in 2018, EU...
As our predecessor Committee noted in its Report on Immigration and Scotland, in 2018, EU citizens make up around 17% of academic staff and 25% of research staff at Scottish universities.345 During our inquiry witnesses spoke to us about how … Read more
Government Response
The government's response for this item explicitly addresses recommendation 151 (ID 19691), rather than the committee's conclusion about the vulnerability of the research sector in Scotland to a potential 'brain drain' of EU academics.
Scotland Office
View details
150 Conclusion Not Addressed
First Report - Universities and Sc…
Iain Stewart MP, Minister for Scotland, told us that what underpins the UK Government’s “strategy...
Iain Stewart MP, Minister for Scotland, told us that what underpins the UK Government’s “strategy is to maintain good links with Europe, with our partners and friends, trading partners and academic links”—he “absolutely” wanted that to continue.351 That said, he … Read more
Government Response
The government's response for this item explicitly addresses recommendation 151 (ID 19691), rather than the committee's conclusion regarding Minister Stewart's statements on maintaining links with Europe versus a global British ambition.
Scotland Office
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 141 of 29 classified
Accepted 44
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 48
Deferred 5
Not Addressed 32
Rejected 10
Total 29 recs + 122 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
16 May 2022 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State for Scotland on the UK Government response to the Universities and Scotland report, dated 10 May 2022
Parliament page
27 Apr 2022 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State for Scotland on the UK Government response to the Universities and Scotland report, dated 25 April 2022
Parliament page
7 Mar 2022 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State for Scotland, on Government responses to Committee reports, dated 4 March 2022
Parliament page
2 Mar 2022 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State for Scotland on Government responses to Committee reports, dated 21 February 2022
Parliament page