Ancient university governance in Scotland facts for kids
The ancient university governance structure in Scotland is a special way that some of Scotland's oldest universities are run. This system was set up by a series of laws called the Universities (Scotland) Acts 1858 to 1966. These laws apply to the 'older universities': the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen, and the University of Edinburgh. These four are often called the ancient universities of Scotland.
Even though the laws don't directly apply to the University of Dundee, it uses the same system. This is because Dundee became independent from the University of St Andrews and was given its own special document, a royal charter, that set up the same rules.
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How Scottish Universities Are Run
The old system for running these universities involves three main groups that share power. These groups are the university court, the general council, and the senatus academicus (which means the academic senate).
The Senatus Academicus: Academic Rules
The senatus academicus is the most important group for academic matters. It makes decisions about teaching and student rules. The head of this group is the Principal of the university.
This group usually includes the Principal, other senior leaders, all professors, and heads of different departments. It also has elected staff members and student representatives. The university's chief librarian is also usually part of it.
One of the main jobs of the senatus academicus is to choose people to join the university court. The laws from 1858 say this group should "regulate the teaching and discipline of the University." This means they decide how subjects are taught and how students should behave.
Often, the full senatus doesn't meet very often. They can let a smaller group, called an academic council, make some of their decisions.
The University Court: Money and Management
The university courts were first created in 1858 for the ancient universities. They are in charge of the university's finances (money) and its daily administration. Each university decides how its court is set up, but it must be approved by the Privy Council.
Members of the court come from inside the university, the local community, and other places. In the ancient universities (but not Dundee), the court is led by the rector. Other members are chosen by the general council and the senatus academicus. There are also members from the local government and student representatives.
The General Council: Advice from Graduates
The general council is a group made up of all senior academics and graduates of the university. It is led by the university's Chancellor, who they choose for life. Members who are not part of the senatus academicus can choose people to serve on the university court.
Mostly, the general council gives advice to the university. It helps keep former students connected to their old university.
Key University Leaders
The leaders of Scotland's ancient universities have roles that are often much older than the laws that officially set them up.
The Chancellor: University's Head
The Chancellor is the official head of the university, but their role is mostly ceremonial. They are chosen for life by the General Council. The Chancellor's main duty is to award degrees to students. However, they usually let the Principal do this as the Vice-Chancellor.
Chancellors often attend important university events like graduation ceremonies. They are usually well-known people, like members of the Royal Family, local leaders, or important academics. Their main job is to promote the university.
A report from 1826 described the Chancellor as the "head of the University." It said they are asked about all important matters and protect the university's special rights.
The Chancellor also leads the General Council and chooses a person to serve on the University Court. In the past, the local bishop was often the Chancellor.
Current Chancellors
| University | Chancellor | Date appointed |
|---|---|---|
| University of Aberdeen | Queen Camilla | 2013 |
| University of Dundee | George Robertson, Lord Robertson of Port Ellen | 2023 |
| University of Edinburgh | Anne, Princess Royal | 2011 |
| University of Glasgow | Dame Katherine Grainger | 2020 |
| University of St Andrews | Menzies Campbell, Lord Campbell of Pittenweem | 2006 |
The Principal: University's CEO
The Principal is like the chief executive officer (CEO) of the university. They lead the Senatus Academicus and are chosen by the University Court. Other senior leaders, often called Vice Principals, help the Principal with different areas of the university.
Because the Principal is usually also the Vice-Chancellor, their full title is 'Principal and Vice Chancellor'. This means they can award degrees when the Chancellor is not there.
Current Principals
| University | Principals | Date appointed |
|---|---|---|
| University of Aberdeen | Professor George Boyne | 2018 |
| University of Dundee | Professor Iain Gillespie | 2021 |
| University of Edinburgh | Sir Peter Mathieson | 2018 |
| University of Glasgow | Sir Anton Muscatelli | 2009 |
| University of St Andrews | Dame Sally Mapstone | 2016 |
The Rector: Student Voice
The role of Rector is one of the oldest in university leadership. In the past, the Rector was the main head of the university. Over time, their power changed a lot.
Today, the Rector often represents the students. They also help promote the university to the outside world. Rectors are often well-known people like celebrities or politicians.
Students at these universities elect their Rector for a three-year term. This means most students will get to vote at least once during their studies. The Edinburgh Rector is special because both staff and students vote for them.
A Rector usually works closely with the Students' Association. Their official installation is a big event, often including a speech to students and the public.
Current Rectors
The five current rectors are:
| University | Rector | Date appointed | End of term |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Aberdeen | Martina Chukwuma-Ezike | 2022 | 2025 |
| University of Dundee | Keith Harris | 2021 | 2024 |
| University of Edinburgh | Simon Fanshawe | 2024 | 2027 |
| University of Glasgow | Ghassan Abu-Sittah | 2024 | 2027 |
| University of St Andrews | Stella Maris | 2023 | 2026 |
Other University Features
Student Representation
A students' representative council (SRC) is a group that speaks for students. They focus on student interests, especially how the university is run academically. The ancient universities are required by law to have an SRC.
Red Undergraduate Gowns
Students studying for their first degree at these ancient Scottish universities can wear a special red undergraduate gown. Students at Saint Mary's College in St Andrews wear a black gown with a violet cross.
The Universities (Scotland) Acts
These are the laws from the UK Parliament that created the modern way of running the ancient universities of Scotland. The same ideas were put into the University of Dundee's royal charter. These laws can be called the Universities (Scotland) Acts 1858 to 1966. Since 1999, the Scottish Parliament now makes laws about higher education.
- Text of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858 (c. 83) as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk
- Text of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889 (c. 55) as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk
- Text of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1922 (c. 31) as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk
- Text of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1932 (c. 26) as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk
- Text of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1966 (c. 13) as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk
Impact of the Acts
Besides setting up how universities are governed, these laws had other important effects. The 1858 Act led to the joining of King's College, Aberdeen and Marischal College to form the University of Aberdeen in 1860. The 1966 Act prepared the way for the University of Dundee to become independent from the University of St Andrews.
The 1889 Act created a special committee for Scottish Universities within the Privy Council. It also allowed for the universities to grow. The 1932 Act removed an old rule that said university leaders had to be Protestant.
Special Cases
There are a few differences in how these general rules apply to certain universities.
University of Aberdeen
- The Students' Association Council at the University of Aberdeen uses a different name, but its legal name is still the same.
University of Dundee
- The University of Dundee is not directly covered by the Universities (Scotland) Acts. Its rules come from its own Royal Charter. This is because Dundee became an independent university in 1967. So, legally, it's separate from the ancient universities.
- The Rector of the University of Dundee is just called 'Rector', not 'Lord Rector'. Also, the Dundee Rector does not lead the University Court; the court chooses a different person to be its chair.
University of Edinburgh
- The Rector of the University of Edinburgh is unique because both staff and students vote for them. At other universities, only students vote for the Rector.
University of Glasgow
- The Glasgow University students' representative council is not part of a single Students' Association. This is because Glasgow has two separate student unions: the Glasgow University Union and the Queen Margaret Union.
