The glittering list of achievements by graduates of Scotland’s ancient universities reads like the ultimate who's who list across various fields.  

Academic giants such as Alexander Fleming, Lord Kelvin, Charles Darwin, Alexander Graham Bell and John Logie Baird amongst many others have walked the hallowed corridors over the past 700 years or so.

Scotland has produced 16 Nobel Laureates, with the vast majority having been educated at an ancient Scots university.

But all is not well in the universities sector with the institutions facing an estimated £200m blackhole amid a range of job losses and courses being cut.

Darwin’s Alma Mater, the University of Edinburgh has recently announced that ninety programmes have been closed to new applicants in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Services.

A briefing to senior academics has outlined the university’s work to implement the college’s ongoing “Academic Size and Shape” restructuring programme.  

According to the document, a total of 90 programmes will be “taught out” over the next several years.

It comes as university managers have sought to cut £140 million from the institution’s annual budget, including £90m in staff salaries.

At least 950 members of staff have been made redundant since senior managers launched the savings drive last year.

The arrangement means that while no new students will enter the programmes after September 2027, existing students will be able to complete their degrees.

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Additionally, no students currently enrolled at the university will be permitted to transfer onto the programmes.

In total, three programmes will be “taught out” in the Business School, 10 in the School of Divinity, five in the Edinburgh College of........

© Herald Scotland