Glasgow’s vice-chancellor has urged the SNP to address funding gap for Scottish universities

As he prepares to step down as principal of the University of Glasgow, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli has called on the Scottish National Party (SNP) to urgently tackle the widening funding gap affecting universities in Scotland, particularly in relation to teaching undergraduates in the nation.

In a recent interview with The Herald, Professor Muscatelli warned that the financial pressures facing universities across the country are unsustainable, highlighting the need for a more stable and long-term funding model. His comments came just one day after Labour leader Keir Starmer announced an increase in tuition fees for English students to £9,535, raising fresh concerns over the state of higher education funding across the UK.

“Scotland’s universities are essential to our country’s success, but we can’t keep relying on unpredictable sources of funding,” Professor Muscatelli said. “The Scottish Government must recognise the critical role of higher education and provide the funding needed to support it.”

Although Scottish universities are still committed to offering free tuition for undergraduates, Glasgow’s vice-chancellor noted that the reality of funding gaps is becoming more difficult to ignore. Universities are increasingly facing challenges in balancing their budgets, with research funding often failing to cover essential operational costs, and the situation is especially difficult for institutions focused on teaching.

“The current funding model just isn’t working,” Professor Muscatelli continued. “We need reliable public investment. Universities can’t keep operating on hope and charity—we need a solid, sustainable funding base to ensure we continue offering high-quality education to our students.”

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The University of Glasgow, like many other Scottish institutions, has struggled with rising operational costs and growing student demand. The vice-chanellor argued that while the SNP’s commitment to free tuition is something to be proud of, it must be balanced with adequate funding for teaching and student support services, especially as universities continue to see costs rise across the board.

“Teaching is at the heart of what universities do, but it’s underfunded. We need to make sure that the quality of teaching isn’t compromised while we chase after research grants,” he explained.

His remarks also touched on the growing pressures faced by students. The cost of living, high accommodation fees, and limited financial support have left many students struggling to make ends meet. “It’s not just universities that are under pressure—students are feeling the strain too,” Professor Muscatelli added. “We need to ensure that higher education is accessible and sustainable for everyone, regardless of their financial situation.”

His calls for action come at a time when many students are already facing challenges from rising living costs, inflation, and financial insecurity. His concerns about the future of Scottish higher education reflect a broader conversation about how to ensure universities remain accessible and high-quality in an era of financial instability.

The SNP has yet to respond directly to Professor Muscatelli’s comments, but his calls underscore a critical issue for the future of Scotland’s universities. As the vice-chancellor leaves behind a legacy of research excellence at the University of Glasgow, his final message to the government is clear: The financial health of universities, and the future of Scotland’s students, depends on long-term, reliable funding.

Featured image via YouTube