The Glasgow School of Art welcomes the findings of Audit Scotland’s report into Higher Education in Scottish Universities published today, 7 July 2016. Like Audit Scotland we recognise the fundamental and successful role higher education plays in Scotland and the substantial challenges facing the sector if it is to continue to make a significant economic, social and cultural contribution to the nation and Scotland’s international standing.
We are committed to providing studio-based learning in Architecture, Design, Digital Design and Fine Art that is accessible, of the highest quality and globally connected, whilst undertaking research that is internationally excellent and impactful. We particularly value diversity in our students and staff, and have a strong commitment to widening participation. Over 20% of Scottish students undertaking an undergraduate degree at the GSA already come from SIMD 20, Scotland’s most deprived areas. This is the one of the highest percentages of any Scottish university.
The GSA receives a far larger number of applications from Scottish students in relation to its size than any other Scottish Higher Education Institution and has always taken the maximum number of Scottish students that it is allowed to under our funded places allocation. This regrettably means that we are unable to offer places to a large number of highly qualified applicants. We hope that one of the key outcomes of the Audit Scotland report will be a reconsideration of the current funded places allocation to support the academic aspirations of students, and the growth and widening participation ambitions of Scotland’s higher education institutions.
To achieve this we are committed to working with the Scottish Government, the SFC and other Scottish universities to develop innovate approaches to the challenges facing the sector and to ensure a sustainable future for higher education in Scotland - a future that offers more of our young people the opportunity to study in Scotland; maximises the contribution of universities to the economic, social and cultural development of the nation; and fosters the partnerships with other academic institutions, business and industry that will enable Scottish universities to continue to undertake internationally significant, ground-breaking research and to enhance Scotland’s place in the world.
Further information
Lesley Booth
07799414474
@GSofAMedia