拢15.3m rise stands in contrast to budget cuts in England

Scottish universities have received a 1.2% rise in funding, despite large cuts to English universities revealed earlier in the week.

The Scottish Funding Council said 20 Scottish institutions would receive 拢1.12bn, meaning universities would be given 拢15.3m more than in 2009-10.

Most universities will receive the increased amounts of cash, with just two institutions 鈥 Stirling and Strathclyde Universities 鈥 given less money.

The news comes a week after three-quarters of English universities were told they would be facing severe budget cuts, as Hefce, which handles university funding in England, said they would receive 拢44m less than was expected.

The slash in funding will result in many building projects being mothballed.

In Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council labelled the increase settlement as 鈥渦ndoubtedly challenging鈥.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Students and the University College Union said the increase was a cut in real terms.