Responding to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC)'s indicative
funding allocations for universities , Higher Education Minister
said:
“The 3.6% increase in core funding for
research and innovation re-affirms our commitment to supporting
high quality research and innovation in Scotland's world-class
universities.
“The increase in investment in teaching per Scottish student also
announced today will benefit the whole sector and support
institutions to progress their plans for the 2025-26 academic
year. The sector has called for an increase to the teaching
resource, and I am pleased that we are meeting that ask.
“Our continued investment in free tuition has seen the number of
Scottish students entering university on full-time first-degree
courses increase by 27% since its implementation in 2007. Latest
UCAS data for the 2024-25 academic year show a record number of
Scots securing a university place – including record numbers from
the most deprived areas – demonstrating the importance of access
being based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay.
“Clearly there remain broader financial pressures facing the
sector, including the UK Government's migration policies, while
its increase to employer National Insurance contributions is
estimated to cost Scottish universities more than £48 million.
The Scottish Government and SFC will continue to work closely
with the sector and its representative body, Universities
Scotland, on its sustainability into the future.”
Background
Investing in Scotland's
Universities - Scottish Funding Council
The Scottish Government provided £1.1 billion for university
teaching and research in the 2025-26 Budget and provided SFC with
an additional £25 million to support universities, including the
University of Dundee, with immediate financial challenges.
