A new Connected Scotland Partnership Strategy 2025-28
November 2025
Connected Scotland set out a three-year plan to strengthen and promote Scotland’s further and higher education globally. The strategy reaffirms the value of coordinated action across universities, colleges, government, and partners.
Purpose and Vision
The partnership aims to enhance Scotland’s global educational impact by aligning activity, sharing intelligence, and enabling a cohesive Team Scotland approach. Over the next three years, Connected Scotland will focus on deepening collaboration, expanding international opportunities, and ensuring equitable access to them across the sector.
Context
Scotland maintains a strong international reputation for quality education and research. However, challenges—including immigration changes, reduced international recruitment, and constrained public funding—require a more coordinated national response. Connected Scotland’s strategy aligns with the Scottish Government’s International Education Strategy, supporting ambitions to attract international talent, amplify Scotland’s global contribution, and deepen international partnerships.
Strategic Priorities. Connected Scotland will prioritise actions that:
• Add value beyond what individual organisations can deliver alone
• Are achievable within available resources
• Broaden equitable access to global opportunities
• Benefit from wider ecosystem collaboration
Key activity includes coordinated participation in global events, joint promotion of Scotland’s education brand, shared insights, and targeted international engagement in agreed priority markets. All branded as Connected Scotland highlighting a Team Scotland approach.
Resourcing
The partnership is supported through and Scottish Government funding for core staff and a small operational fund, and sometimes member contributions.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Annual plans will include clear outputs and outcomes. Each year, Connected Scotland will undertake an overall review to ensure resources are delivering maximum value and informing continuous improvement.
Conclusion
Connected Scotland is a unique national asset. This strategy strengthens partners’ collective commitment to international engagement, positioning Scotland’s further and higher education sector for resilience, innovation, and global leadership over the coming years.