General council (Scottish university)

The general council of an ancient university in Scotland is the corporate body of all graduates and senior academics of each university. They were instituted by the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858, but each has had its constitution and organisation considerably altered by subsequent statutes.

The Act of 1858 established a tripartite structure of the general council (advisory body), university court (finance and administration), and academic senate (academic affairs).

The chancellor of each university is elected by the general council and is president of the council.