Continuity and change: what Scotland’s elections means for universities

This blog was kindly authored by Lesley Jackson, Deputy Director, Universities Scotland.

Last week’s Scottish election result managed to deliver both remarkable continuity and noteworthy change. Having secured 58 of the 129 seats available, the Scottish National Party (SNP) remains the dominant political force in the Parliament, a position it has occupied unbroken since 2007. Meanwhile, Reform UK – a party formed only 5 years ago, and without a leader in Scotland until January this year – tied with Scottish Labour in second place, returning 17 MSPs.

The Scottish Greens and Liberal Democrats increased their representation, picking up 6 extra seats apiece. The Conservatives dropped 7 seats, meaning they lost their position as the second party in the Parliament, falling to fifth place overall.  

However, perhaps the most remarkable outcome is simply the newness of the Scottish Parliament. Almost half of those elected have never been an MSP before. That will inevitably change something. What that something is – be it the legislative agenda, the nature of cross-party working, or simply the tone of debate – remains to be seen.

What do these results mean for higher education policy, and in particular for Scotland’s universities? It is of course early days. At the time of writing a First Minister has not yet been elected, portfolios have not been confirmed, and ministers have not been appointed. However, pre-election commitments continue the theme of continuity and change.

All of the main political parties recognised in their manifestos the need for action to secure a more sustainable future for Scotland’s universities. That’s welcome and very much needed, given that annually determined public investment in universities has consistently failed to keep pace with rising costs over the last decade. Per student funding has fallen 39% since 2014, creating an ever-growing requirement for cross-subsidisation and stoking the financial crisis now facing the sector.

We hope that the clear, cross-party manifesto commitments to address university funding for the long-term will translate into continued cross-party engagement in the post-election period, through the ongoing work of the Future Framework for the Success and Sustainability of Scotland’s Universities. The Framework is a joint initiative between Universities Scotland and the Scottish Government. It launched in December 2025 as a means of developing a shared understanding of the challenges facing the sector, where they’ve come from, and what needs to be done to address them.  

Importantly, the Framework will go beyond teaching to consider the road ahead for university research, as well as the many other functions institutions are expected to perform, from growing the economy through start-ups and spin outs, to widening access to higher education, and acting as civic anchors. As the work is multifaceted, so too are the potential policy implications. They spread way beyond higher education, emphasising that the sector’s success and Scotland’s success go hand in hand.  

The potential prize is considerable. The SNP’s pre-election commitments for the first 100 days of a new administration included the foundation of a new National Council for Economic Growth, a rural renewal bill, and driving down NHS waiting times. Whilst a diverse set of issues, each one of these Government priorities illustrates where universities can – and should – play a central role.

The impact of the sector already spans multiple government portfolios. Universities are not just stakeholders, but critical partners in delivery. They are powerful engines of economic growth, driving innovation, developing highly skilled talent, and working alongside industry to translate ideas into impact. Crucially, the breadth and geographic reach of Scotland’s universities mean they are uniquely placed to support ambitions around regional economic growth and rural renewal, working in partnership with government, business, and local communities.

The sector’s contribution to the nation’s health and wellbeing is a good example.  Universities are fundamental to the NHS: without them, there is no pipeline of trained professionals. Beyond workforce supply, academic–NHS collaboration underpins clinical research that delivers real benefits to frontline services, while advances in life sciences continue to produce new treatments, technologies and improved patient outcomes. The hope for the sector is that this Parliament recognises the breadth of our impact, and that this recognition fosters a shared interest in securing a sustainable future.

If the new Parliament really is a more collaborative one, we need that spirit to extend into the Government itself – breaking down the silos that have frustrated recent progress on issues ranging from student mental health to the innovation ecosystem and graduate apprenticeships.

Universities are ideally placed to partner with Government, Parliament and others to drive forward a growth and renewal agenda, provided the sector itself is first secured on a more sustainable footing. We hope that opportunity will be forthcoming.