Achi news desk-
Although teaching funding for universities fell by 3.8%, research funding was up by £12.6 million (4.2%) and capital funding increased by £2.6 million (10.2%).
Universities say they have faced an erosion in real terms of the teaching grant – which includes Scottish students – over the past decade.
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Professor Iain Gillespie, convener of Universities Scotland, said: “This is by far the most difficult funding settlement universities have faced, as £28.5 million of Government cuts from teaching budgets next year must be found .
“After a decade of eroding university funding in real terms, the Funding Council has been forced to make some very difficult choices.
“All universities are facing a financial cut to their resources to support student learning.
“There is no way that this path of public funding in university teaching is sustainable.
“Universities will find it increasingly difficult to manage these cuts while continuing to offer the high quality education and wider experience that our students deserve and the country needs.
“The cuts put significant pressure on university funding at the same time as they face rising costs and significant challenges in recruiting international students, which most institutions have relied on in recent years as a source of income to cover the shortfall in Government funding on behalf of all Scottish students.”
Commenting on Thursday’s announcement, SFC chief executive Karen Watt said: “This has been a particularly challenging funding round.
“While we recognize that universities operate in a difficult financial environment, managing a range of different pressures, the funding package we are announcing today will ensure that more opportunities are available to Scottish students than pre-Covid.
“We are also increasing investment in university research and innovation given its vital importance to new discoveries and making research useful for social and economic benefit.”
The Scottish Government said the allocations included removing 1,289 temporary student places put in place during the pandemic.
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A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “Our universities play a central role in the Scottish economy and society, and despite facing the most challenging budget since devolution, the Scottish Government will continue to invest over £1 billion in teaching and research, including progress in research. and innovation funding in the coming year.
“This is over and above the investment to ensure we run free tuition – which has seen a 31% increase in the number of Scottish students going to university since its implementation.
“We are seeing record numbers of 19-year-olds and under securing university places, including record numbers of students from our poorest communities as a result of the Scottish Government’s investment in our universities, and ministers are determined o ensure that the sector continues to thrive. ”
