Save our Scottish Universities - Open Letter for Higher and Further Education Funding
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney MSP, Higher Education Secretary Graeme Dey MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison MSP
Universities in Scotland are in a position where they are losing money for each Scottish student they accept. This is due to a discrepancy between the funding received per student from the Scottish Government and the amount of money it takes to educate a student. With the cost-of-living crisis and inflationary pressures, this gap has only widened. International students, who typically pay a larger amount in fees, are now essentially cross-funding the education of home students. Furthermore, with funding crises impacting many universities now, this will be seen in all areas at universities:
- Funding for courses and teaching being cut
- Accommodation crises as universities require more students to cover losses
- Accommodation rent increases to ensure that they are not losing money
- Less availability of different student services – from counselling to helplines
The SOSU campaign was set up to address the issues at their target source – the inadequate funding of universities. We ask you to support our campaign and our open letter, as we seek to preserve higher and further education for generations to come.
Petition by
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To:
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney MSP, Higher Education Secretary Graeme Dey MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance Shona Robison MSP
From:
[Your Name]
Dear First Minister, Minister Day, and Secretary Robison,
We are writing to express our deep concern and frustration over the ongoing erosion of funding for Higher and Further Education in Scotland, and its direct impact on students.
Between 2014-15 and 2023-24, funding per student has plummeted by nearly 40% in real terms [1]. In response, even the Scottish Funding Council has conceded that “universities rely [on international student tuition fees] to remain financially sustainable and to support other areas of operations.” [2] This reliance on international student fees is unsustainable and unfair—it exposes the sector to risk and perpetuates global inequalities while undermining the quality of education for all. According to HESA data for the academic year 2022/23, international students now account for nearly 70% of all tuition income at most Scottish universities. This is not a path to long-term sustainability [3].
Not only does the reliance on international student fees create an unsustainable funding model for universities, it also coincides with the wider issue of hostility towards international students. With the two-tier graduate visa scheme and heavy requirements on international students at university, these students are beginning to turn their back on the Scottish education system. They are required to pay approximately double the actual value of the teaching they receive. This also creates an admissions model that operates by prioritising financial benefits to the institution, rather than accepting people on academic achievement and potential. There is also a lack of support from universities for these students, to understand the intricacies of university systems, navigate the NHS and the visa system, and adjust to life in an unfamiliar culture.
Universities are not the only institutions that have had their funding cut. Scottish Further Education funding has been slashed. Colleges have seen their budgets repeatedly cut, to the point that colleges are now reducing the number of students they can accept. This has an enormous impact on the entire education sector, with colleges acting as a pathway to Higher Education, as well as on the level of employment. Colleges offer so many different vocational courses. By reducing the number of people who can access this vital resource, we will have a generation of school-leavers with little to no prospects of finding work.
The benefits of investing in higher education are beyond doubt. Research from London Economics, commissioned by Universities UK, shows that for every £1 of public money invested in Higher Education, the sector returns £14 to the UK economy [4]. The overall economic impact of the sector exceeds £265 billion. Each UK undergraduate who completes their degree contributes an average of £75,000 back to the economy, while postgraduate students contribute between £119,000 and £215,000. These are not just numbers; they are the foundations of our future prosperity.
Despite this, our universities—once the pride of Scotland—are being forced to stretch limited resources to breaking point. The 2024 National Student Survey showed that Scottish universities continue to score over 80% for teaching quality, learning opportunities, academic support, and resources [5]. However, the truth behind these numbers is stark: staff are working under increasingly difficult conditions, and the relentless cuts by both the Scottish and UK Governments are putting this world-class standard at risk.
The real-world consequences of this funding crisis are already being felt. Since 2018, university staff have resorted to annual strike action overpay and pensions, leading to significant disruptions to teaching and assessment. Some universities, such as Aberdeen, are considering cutting vital courses like languages due to financial constraints [6]. Meanwhile, the potential defunding of college and university counselling services earlier this year sent shockwaves through the sector, highlighting just how fragile the situation has become—only a temporary reprieve was granted by the Scottish Government [7].
We will not stand by while the future of Scottish education is compromised. Our non-negotiables are clear:
- Retain the commitment to free tuition for Scottish students.
- Commit to a funding uplift that removes the need to rely on international student fees.
Without immediate and substantial government intervention, Scottish universities will be unable to maintain their tradition of academic excellence, continue critical research that addresses society's most urgent challenges, or deliver the £265 billion the sector generates for the UK economy.
Our future hangs in the balance. The choice is clear: secure Scotland’s educational future, or risk our universities falling into irreversible decline.
Act NOW and #SaveOurScottishUniversities.
[1] Universities Scotland. (2024). Opportunity and inclusive growth in a time of challenge, Universities Scotland budget case for 2024-25. https://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Publication-Budget-Case-for-2024-FINAL.pdf
[2] Scottish Funding Council. (2024). Financial sustainability of universities in Scotland 2020-21 to 2024-25. https://www.sfc.ac.uk/publications/financial-sustainability-of-universities-in-scotland-2020-21-to-2024-25/
[3] Higher Education Statistics Agency. (2024). Tuition fees and education contracts analysed by HE provider, domicile, mode, level, source, and academic year, DT031 Table 6. https://www.hesa.ac.uk/data-and-analysis/finances/table-6
[4] London Economics. (2023). The economic impact of higher education, teaching, research, and innovation, Report for Universities UK. https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/policy-and-research/publications/economic-impact-higher-education
[5] Universities Scotland. (2024). National Student Survey 2024. https://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/nss2024/
[6] BBC News. (2023, October 23). University of Aberdeen should ‘carefully consider’ languages cut plan. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-67615201
[7] NUS Scotland. (2023). “A huge win for students”: Scottish Government creates student mental health and wellbeing transition fund to retain mental health counsellors in colleges and universities for 2023/24. https://www.nus-scotland.org.uk/student_mental_health_transition_fund