Top-ranking universities see funds slashed

Published on Wednesday 1 April 2009 22:10

SEVEN Scottish universities have had their research funding cut – despite many being ranked as "world-class" in their fields of expertise.

Among the worst affected are Stirling, which lost 1.3 million despite being the top-rated Scottish institution for nurse training, and Strathclyde, which saw its budget cut by 2.4 million despite its business faculty being highly rated. Critics said the allocations amounted to a real-terms cut for some institutions and warned the lack of funding could "damage Scotland's future prospects".

And last night, education leaders said there were "serious questions" over a funding system that failed to reward research excellence.

The other five universities hit by drops in funding are Dundee, Edinburgh College of Art, Glasgow Caledonian, Queen Margaret in Edinburgh, and the University of the Highlands and Islands.

However, the Scottish Funding Council, which allocates government cash to the sector, has given both transition funding for a year. Stirling will get 1.5 million of this, giving it 47.9 million for the year, and Strathclyde is to get 1.3 million, a total of 105.5 million.

A spokesman for Stirling said: "We are, of course, disappointed with our grant allocation, but it is not unexpected.

"We are still working on the detailed financial implications for the longer term."

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde said: "The methodology used to calculate the research element of the grant has affected our allocation, but we are not complacent about the position."

Glasgow School of Art hit out at the funding council's formula – based on the recent UK-wide Research Assessment, which rates research departments – after receiving a minimal rise despite achieving the highest percentage of world-leading research in Scotland.

A spokeswoman said: "Despite this outstanding performance, we have been awarded an increase of only 0.7 per cent in our research excellence grant against a sector average of 7 per cent.This raises serious questions about a funding methodology ."

Others universities saw their funding increased, Aberdeen being the greatest beneficiary, with a 27 per cent rise in research cash.

Claire Baker, Labour's higher education spokeswoman, said last night: "Many university leaders have already come out publicly against the SNP's lack of funding, with fears Scotland's universities and graduates may fall behind competitors within the UK and across the world. This allocation will do nothing to allay their fears and I believe it could damage Scotland's future prospects."

The fund forms 11.4 per cent of the total 1.14 billion for Scotland's universities. However, 60 million has yet to be allocated.

Mrs Baker said: "The SNP's taskforce on universities has so far come up with few new ideas and no new money. The only thing of note to come out of this process has been the new 'horizon fund'. However this funding allocation makes a mockery even of this, exposing it as simply a rebranding exercise."