Like many other things (good and bad) in Scotland, our view of the nation’s universities, and their contribution to how we see ourselves, is rooted in a great deal of history.
The UK has a total of six ancient universities, which are those founded before 1600. Four of them are in Scotland: St Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
What is clear is that major questions surround the future of university finances, but that nobody – including government officials and sector leaders – seems to have the raw figures they would need to discuss concrete solutions in an open and democratic way.
That has to change. The last attempt to quantify and address funding gaps in higher education took place almost fifteen years ago, and there is clearly both a need, and an appetite, for the matter to be revisited.
We hope that our investigation into the future of Scotland’s universities can help to start that crucial conversation. Follow this article to read along.
Day One
Exclusive: New investigation estimates potential funding deficit facing Scottish universities
According to The Herald's investigation, Scottish Government funding may only cover an average of 58% of the estimated costs of teaching Scottish students. Garrett Stell reports.
International fees are crucial to university funding: but how long can it last?
Many universities use international fees to help cover deficits, including teaching Scottish students whose tuition isn't enough to cover costs. Garrett Stell investigates.
James Miller: The importance of international students to Scotland
James Miller examines the importance of international students: dispelling the harmful rhetoric associated with international students because of immigration policy battles and talking about their contributions both financially and culturally.
No one knows how much a university education costs, and that's a problem
An investigation into how much universities need to educate their students and whether public money goes far enough turned up troubling results, reports Garrett Stell.
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