Below is a summary of the key topics discussed:
Update from the Principal
Peter Mathieson, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, updated Court on a number of recent developments, including:
- Financial challenges in the higher education sector, including parliamentary scrutiny of financial difficulties at the University of Dundee;
- The funding context in the coming years;
- An overview of the results of the staff survey (Staff can access further information on SharePoint: Staff Survey 2025 - Home);
- A serious incident on campus on Friday 28 March when a student taking part in a demonstration had been assaulted by a member of the public, which the University was reviewing with a view to identifying any potential lessons for the future;
- Planned Leaders Forum meetings;
- A series of new initiatives to facilitate student engagement with the University leadership, in conjunction with EUSA.
Finance and Planning
Court received information on the University’s financial position and current work to ensure financial sustainability, including a summary of the outcomes of the recent voluntary severance scheme. Court discussed the formulation of the University’s budget for 2025-26 and the process for Court’s approval of the budget. Court also discussed the management of change in the context of initiatives to ensure financial sustainability. Structural elements of fees policy for 2025-26 were approved.
Staff can access further information on the Finance SharePoint site:
University Finances SharePoint (login required)
Student Experience and Learning & Teaching Strategy
Court received a regular update on work relating to the student experience, including on assessment and feedback, portfolio review, the timetabling and course selection project and elements of curriculum transformation.
Court also received the Learning & Teaching Strategy that had been approved by Senate Education Committee in February 2025.
Responsible Investment
Court approved the terms of reference for a Responsible Investment Advisory Group and approved the revised Responsible Investment Policy. The policy integrated changes that had been subject to a significant consultation exercise. Court noted that a further revision of the policy was anticipated, following work by the new group on a number of current issues. The group would also contribute to the creation of a representations process for relevant matters.
Further information can be found on the University website:
Beyond Sustainability: successor to the Climate Change Strategy
Court approved a successor to the University’s previous Climate Change Strategy.
Other items
Regular reports were received from the Students’ Association, the Sports Union, the Development and Alumni Office and Court’s committees. Court also received a mid-year report on the University’s performance measures to support Strategy 2030. Court formally approved the appointment of three new lay members of Court, as recommended by Governance & Nominations Committee, and approved a proposal to grant Benefactor status. Court agreed the transmission of Resolutions regarding degree regulations to Senate and the General Council for statutory consultation. Court received and approved for publication the University’s Equality Outcomes & Mainstreaming Progress Report 2025 and EDI Data Report 2025.
More detailed information on the University Court, including the membership, agenda, open papers and approved minutes can be found on the University Court webpages: