Increase in funding for Scottish universities

UCU Scotland welcomed a real terms increase in funding for universities, but raised concerns that the core funding for teaching and research is down.

The overall funding for universities from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has increased by 5%, but nearly all universities are seeing a real terms cut* in their core grants. The initial comparisons of funding with the previous year show five institutions receiving a cut in funding and most receiving below inflation increases (see SFC allocations 2013 [15kb]) though most of these will receive additional income in fees from students from elsewhere in the UK.

Commenting on the indicative funding announcement for universities for 2013/14, UCU's Scottish Official Mary Senior said:

'UCU broadly welcomes the funding settlement for our universities for 2013/14. The announcement should provide funding stability for institutions and employment security for staff in the sector. Institutions need to curb the use of casual and temporary contracts that blight our universities and give more staff secure and fair working conditions.

'UCU is concerned that the SFC is diverting funds from the core areas of teaching and research to fund projects which will increase the bureaucracy in obtaining grants. The SFC should use the money saved to ensure all universities can develop their research profile, not just those that have already gained from the concentration of research funding'.

Ms Senior added:

'The increased places in support of widening access agreed by universities is very welcome to ensure that more people from non traditional backgrounds can benefit from a university education'.

* based on 3.1% increase forecast for RPI in 2013-14 in the Autumn Statement