OpenFieldUniversities Scotland
Universities Scotland is the national representative body and higher education policy institute for Scotland's 19 world-class universities and higher education institutions, headquartered on Queen Street in Edinburgh.
Academic overview & excellence
Universities Scotland shapes national policy across higher education teaching, cutting-edge research funding, widening access initiatives, and international student visas in coordination with the Scottish Government, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Research admissions & criteria
Policy fellowships, doctoral policy internships, and higher education governance awards are open to postgraduate scholars and academic staff across all 19 Scottish universities (including Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews, and Aberdeen).
Verified opportunities & funding programs (7)
Universities Scotland Higher Education Policy Fellowship
Twelve-month postgraduate fellowship analyzing Scottish university research commercialization, university-industry spinouts, and cross-border research funding.
Scottish Universities Widening Access Doctoral Internship
Six-month research internship tracking SIMD20 (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) university access targets, retention metrics, and contextualized admissions policies.
Scotland's Saltire Scholarships in Higher Education Excellence
Prestigious government scholarships for citizens of Canada, China, India, Japan, Pakistan, and the USA undertaking a full-time master's in Scotland.
Scottish International Research Commercialisation Award
Competitive commercialization grant supporting university academic founders spinning out patent-protected technologies into high-growth Scottish companies.
Scottish Parliament Higher Education Inquiry Research Practicum
Three-month placement with the Education, Children and Young People Committee preparing evidence briefs on international tuition fee frameworks and student housing.
Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Policy & Institutional Governance
Six-month professional executive diploma in university senates, Scottish Code of Good HE Governance, research ethics oversight, and QAA quality assurance.
Certificate in Scottish Higher Education Horizon Horizon Europe Research Collaboration
Four-week intensive masterclass on European Horizon Europe pillar funding structures, consortium building, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and ERC grant writing.
Distinguished faculty & researchers (3)
Alastair Sim
Director of Universities Scotland · Executive Directorate
Alastair Sim is Director of Universities Scotland in the Executive Directorate at Universities Scotland, conducting advanced research in Higher Education Funding Policy, Scottish Devolution and Universities, Global Higher Education Competitiveness.
Susannah Lane
Head of Public Affairs · Public Affairs and Communications
Susannah Lane is Head of Public Affairs in the Public Affairs and Communications at Universities Scotland, conducting advanced research in Parliamentary Higher Education Scrutiny, Widening Access Policy, Student Support Frameworks.
Dr. David Lott
Deputy Director (Policy) · Policy & Strategic Planning Directorate
Dr. David Lott is Deputy Director (Policy) in the Policy & Strategic Planning Directorate at Universities Scotland, conducting advanced research in Research Assessment Framework (REF), University-Industry Spinouts, Higher Education Metrics.
Editorial & verification standards
Institution profile and program records reflect official documentation verified on 2026-10-15. OpenField is an independent student academic resource and is not formally affiliated with Universities Scotland.