Higher Education in Scotland, the Devolution Settlement and the Referendum on Independence seminar series

Description

Think Tank 1: The Future Funding of Higher Education in Scotland, the UK and internationally

The aim of the project is to consider the future challenges and opportunities faced by Scottish higher education in the case of further devolution or a vote for independence in autumn 2014. This think tank focuses on the future financing of Scottish higher education, which both reflects and influences the type of higher education system which is likely to emerge. Some of the forces influencing the funding of higher education cut across national boundaries. For example, the global higher education market is increasingly influential, reflected in the growing importance attached to international league tables. The global competition for staff and students encourages elite institutions to adopt strategies designed to maximise their income and market share, raising fees to the highest level which the market will bear. The European Union has also influenced the development of higher education systems across the European Higher Education, encouraging harmonisation in order to promote the free movement of staff and students. Despite these convergent forces, there are also divergent forces in play. For example, in order to emphasise its desire to promote universalism in public services, Scotland has removed higher education fees at the same time as England has introduced very large increases. The presentations in this think tank explore some of the pressures affecting decision making on the funding of higher education in Scotland, the rest of the UK and other countries. They also examine the range of policy choices which are available and their consequences.

Period	22 May 2013
Event type	Conference
Location	Edinburgh, United KingdomShow on map