Evidence

Here you will find links to some of the main documents, reports and resources which have been considered by the Steering Group during the development of a Scottish Code of Good Higher Education Governance. This evidence base will be added to as the Steering Group’s work progresses. Written submissions can be found on a separate page.

Report on the Steering Group’s consideration of evidence (April 2013)

Report of the Steering Group’s consideration of evidence (April 2013)

Report of the Review of Higher Education Governance in Scotland (February 2012)

This Review reported in February 2012 and made a number of recommendations on higher education governance arrangements, including a recommendation for the drafting of a Code of Good Governance for Scottish higher education institutions.
Report of the Review of Higher Education Governance in Scotland (February 2012)

Dissenting opinion from Mr Alan Simpson, member of the Review of Higher Education Governance Panel and Chair of Court, University of Stirling (February 2012)

The panel was unable to produce a unanimous view on several recommendations. Mr Simpson’s dissenting opinion and the arguments set out therein should be read in conjunction with the final report itself.
Dissenting opinion, recommendations letter

Committee of University Chairs’ Guide for Members of Higher Education Governing Bodies in the UK: Incorporating the Governance Code of Practice and General Principles (March 2009)

Originally developed in 2004 with the aim of supporting the UK higher education sector to develop the highest standards of governance and quickly adopted as the ‘gold standard’ by institutions across the UK. Updated in 2009, the Code of Practice is adopted on a voluntary, ‘comply or explain’ basis by all Scottish institutions.
Committee of University Chairs’ Guide for Members of Higher Education Governing Bodies in the UK: Incorporating the Governance Code of Practice and General Principles (March 2009)

The UK Corporate Governance Code (formerly the Combined Code) (Revised 2012)

The UK Corporate Governance Code (formerly the Combined Code) sets out standards of good practice in relation to board leadership and effectiveness, remuneration, accountability and relations with shareholders. Scottish universities are required by the Scottish Funding Council to make a full compliance statement in regard to the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code, in so far as they apply to the university sector, in their annual financial statements.
UK Corporate Governance Code

Voluntary Code of Best Practice for the Governance of Australian Universities (September 2011)

Developed on behalf of the Australian higher education sector by Universities Australia in 2010 and endorsed by the sector and the Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment in 2011.
Voluntary Code of Best Practice for the Governance of Australian Universities (September 2011)

Universities Scotland response to the Review of Higher Education Governance in Scotland’s Call for Evidence (September 2011)

A useful document with strong evidence of the existing accountability mechanisms which institutions are subject to, the links between autonomy and performance, and the existing levels of student and staff representation on university Courts.
Universities Scotland response to the Review of Higher Education Governance in Scotland’s Call for Evidence (September 2011)