International engagement

Our international engagement strategy aims to advance the ambitions of Scottish further and higher education worldwide.

We help universities and colleges strengthen their educational, research and investment activities, promote them overseas as well as support their engagement with opportunities across the UK. 

Extending the reach of Scotland’s research base

SFC is a delivery partner, working with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, for the Global Challenges Research Fund and the Newton Fund. These funds support research and innovation which benefits developing countries.

Connected Scotland

We are partners in Connected Scotland, which supports Scotland’s universities and colleges in promoting the quality and scope of their excellence in teaching, research and knowledge exchange in target markets. Our support includes funding for an International Officer post at Universities Scotland.

Working in partnership

We work in partnership with organisations that share our goals, including the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).

We have an outcome agreement [PDF] for our funding to RSE. Their work developing key relationships with national academies worldwide and contributing as a partner in Connected Scotland includes the International Connections programme which helps to create and support conditions for talented people to live, learn, visit, work and remain in Scotland and supports Scotland's international reputation.  

Student Mobility

The European Higher Education Area and Bologna Process promotes staff and students’ mobility and aims to make sure that courses are accredited internationally. SFC works with Scottish Government, QAA Scotland and others on Bologna Implementation.