With the public backing universities as key to future economic success, politicians are urged to back universities in May’s election. Universities Scotland’s manifesto, launched on Monday 9th February, sets out a range of policy and funding asks of the next Scottish Government and Parliament that could significantly turn up the dial on the impact of skills development, research and innovation and support for business creation and industry growth.
With public sentiment already positive—75% of Scots agreed or strongly agreed that universities are key to the UK’s future economic success according to public polling conducted in January 2026—Scots believe a successful future for the UK requires successful industries nationwide, utilising the skills and talents of its entire population, and the ability to make new scientific discoveries.
The most significant ask of all political parties in this election is to engage with and support the Framework for Sustainable and Successful Universities. Launched in December 2025 as a joint exercise between Universities Scotland and the Scottish Government, and tasked with securing the future of universities till 2045, it commands cross-party buy-in. The need has never been greater, with 11 universities forecast to be in deficit.
Universities Scotland asks for meaningful engagement with the Framework’s outputs, expected in the autumn, and continued cross-party support for the development of an implementation plan within a year.
The Framework is the foundation stone upon which the sector’s wider contribution to Scotland depends. The Universities Scotland manifesto is structured around actions that would improve the lives of our students, the enabling role of the sector in support of economic growth, through skills development, research and innovation, and through our partnerships with the NHS.
For more detailed information on Universities Scotland’s manifesto, download the full document HERE.
Read Universities Scotland’s full press release HERE.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
About Universities Scotland (US)
Universities Scotland (US) is a membership organisation working for the Principals and Directors of Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions. They develop higher education policy and campaign on issues where members have a shared interest. US represents every higher education institution in Scotland and speaks on their behalf on issues that affect Scotland’s world-class sector.
Scotland’s higher education sector is one of the best in the world. It is home to three of the world’s top 200 universities (as defined by the Times Higher World University Rankings 2025). Scotland’s sector has pioneered developments in teaching, including an ‘enhancement-led’ approach that makes students a key partner in the quality of their education. US members excel at blue-sky research, with every institution in Scotland developing some research judged to be ‘world class’ with ‘outstanding impact’. They are actively working to translate this research into businesses, the public and third sectors where it will be of benefit to others.
In teaching, every institution in Scotland has defined a set of graduate attributes. These advise what to expect from the student experience as well as signalling the holistic approach taken towards employability, which shapes Scotland’s students into global citizens, supports them to be creative, entrepreneurial and highly sought after by employers.
US believes that the sector’s diversity and autonomy are two principles that are critical to the success the sector has already achieved, and to future competitiveness.
US covers almost all aspects of higher education activity in Scotland, from teaching and employability to research and knowledge exchange, from widening access to issues of internationalisation, funding, efficiency, and governance. More recently, US has taken on a policy role in aspects of student and staff wellbeing, such as mental health and prevention of gender-based violence, where they can add value to the work of their members.
In 2021, US published a new three-year Strategic Plan which sets out how they support members to achieve their vision for higher education. 2021-24: Recovery and Renewal outlines how members can achieve the policy and funding outcomes needed to support universities to make a full contribution to an education-led, green, and inclusive economic recovery.
Higher education is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, with funding and policy decisions affecting higher education taken primarily by the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, and Scottish Funding Council. Working closely and constructively with all three organisations is a major focus of the US’s time.
US additionally works closely with Universities UK on matters that are reserved to Westminster but directly affect universities in Scotland. The UK Research Councils and immigration policy are two key areas that are reserved to Westminster but have a cross-UK impact.
Founded in 1992, Universities Scotland is an autonomous national council of Universities UK, and they are financed by the subscription of member institutions.
Universities Scotland is a national council of Universities UK, a charity registered in England and Wales (1001127) and Scotland (SC052497). A company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales, Company No. 2517018. Registered Office: Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HQ.
About The Glasgow School of Art (GSA)
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading independent university-level institutions for education and research in the visual creative disciplines. Our studio-based, specialist, practice-led teaching, learning and research draw talented individuals with a shared passion for visual culture and creative production from all over the world.
Originally founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, the School’s history can be traced back to 1753 and the establishment of the Foulis Academy delivering a European-style art education. Today, the GSA is an international community of over 3,500 students and staff across architecture, design, fine art, innovation and technology in our campuses in Glasgow and Altyre (in the Scottish Highlands) and a thriving Open Studio programme delivering non-degree provision to over 1,500 students annually.
