You’ve seen the picket lines crowded outside of university buildings, you may have heard how the union is struggling against the university’s financial cuts, and you may have heard of Peter Mathieson.
The University of Edinburgh’s pot of money seems to be running out, and people are unhappy about it. This is not just a University of Edinburgh problem, Dundee University has been given £40million from the Scottish government to avoid financial ruin. Across Scotland, doubt is beginning to spread about whether free tuition fees are sustainable, and Mathieson has recently suggested that Scottish students could start to make financial “contributions.”
His tone is cautious, careful to call only for “contributions” and not for the English system of paying full tuition fees. He appears genuinely fearful for the future of Scottish Universities if they do not find another way to finance themselves. He says, “I think Scottish Universities are magnificent, and they’re in danger, and they need to be protected.” His genuine tone cuts through the doomed picture that he creates; telling us that he is sad to be so honest, sad to tell us that the only solution is either contributions from Scottish students or offering less places to Scottish students, in favour of international students.
However, the media coverage surrounding Mathieson casts some doubt over whether he is a reliable source. It has been reported that he earned around £370,000 in 2024/5. This is defended by the university which says, “the university is the biggest employer in Edinburgh”.
Now, the head of the biggest employer in Scotland, NHS Scotland, earned just over half what Mathieson earned in 2024. This makes me question whether his salary is truly to do with his hard-work and responsibility, or more to do with greed.
Another reason that the university has given is its economic impact and its high ranking. In other words, Peter Mathieson is rewarded for how valuable the university is as a business. Not, however, for looking after its Scottish students.
Financial strain may be an issue affecting universities across Scotland, but the particular situation of Peter Mathieson tells us that the University of Edinburgh deserves special scrutiny.
“Peter Mathieson 2019” by Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
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Is Mathieson really concerned about the future of Scottish universities?
You’ve seen the picket lines crowded outside of university buildings, you may have heard how the union is struggling against the university’s financial cuts, and you may have heard of Peter Mathieson.
The University of Edinburgh’s pot of money seems to be running out, and people are unhappy about it. This is not just a University of Edinburgh problem, Dundee University has been given £40million from the Scottish government to avoid financial ruin. Across Scotland, doubt is beginning to spread about whether free tuition fees are sustainable, and Mathieson has recently suggested that Scottish students could start to make financial “contributions.”
His tone is cautious, careful to call only for “contributions” and not for the English system of paying full tuition fees. He appears genuinely fearful for the future of Scottish Universities if they do not find another way to finance themselves. He says, “I think Scottish Universities are magnificent, and they’re in danger, and they need to be protected.” His genuine tone cuts through the doomed picture that he creates; telling us that he is sad to be so honest, sad to tell us that the only solution is either contributions from Scottish students or offering less places to Scottish students, in favour of international students.
However, the media coverage surrounding Mathieson casts some doubt over whether he is a reliable source. It has been reported that he earned around £370,000 in 2024/5. This is defended by the university which says, “the university is the biggest employer in Edinburgh”.
Now, the head of the biggest employer in Scotland, NHS Scotland, earned just over half what Mathieson earned in 2024. This makes me question whether his salary is truly to do with his hard-work and responsibility, or more to do with greed.
Another reason that the university has given is its economic impact and its high ranking. In other words, Peter Mathieson is rewarded for how valuable the university is as a business. Not, however, for looking after its Scottish students.
Financial strain may be an issue affecting universities across Scotland, but the particular situation of Peter Mathieson tells us that the University of Edinburgh deserves special scrutiny.
“Peter Mathieson 2019” by Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
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