An increase in funds for universities has been welcomed, despite concerns that some money is being "diverted" from core areas.
The University and College Union (UCU) reacted to indicative decisions announced by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).
Details of the £1.1 billion overall fund will allow universities to plan for their next intake of students, said the SFC.
Mary Senior, of the UCU, said: "UCU broadly welcomes the funding settlement for our universities for 2013-14. The announcement should provide funding stability for institutions and employment security for staff in the sector.
"Institutions need to curb the use of casual and temporary contracts that blight our universities and give more staff secure and fair working conditions. UCU is concerned that the SFC is diverting funds from the core areas of teaching and research to fund projects which will increase the bureaucracy in obtaining grants.
"The SFC should use the money saved to ensure all universities can develop their research profile, not just those that have already gained from the concentration of research funding."
John McClelland, of the SFC, said: "Today's announcement will help universities plan ahead knowing broadly what public funding they will have for 2013-14. It also allows Scottish universities to continue to enhance their research and teaching as well as support Scotland's economy through knowledge exchange."
The University of Glasgow said additional places for up to 800 students from low-income backgrounds will be created over the next four years. From 2013-14 until 2016-17, an extra 200 places will be available for school leavers and adults, the highest number of opportunities created by this round of SFC investment, said the university. The places will be available to students from the 40% most deprived areas in Scotland.
University principal Professor Anton Muscatelli said: "The additional funding will allow us to expand the number and spread of neighbourhoods we target in order to reach more pupils and, more importantly, start to engage with them from an earlier age. We'll also be able to support more adults returning to higher education.
"We believe that universities have a responsibility to make higher education accessible to people from the widest possible socio-economic spectrum. We are excited by the prospect of helping recruit and retain more students who will benefit from the world-class education available at the University of Glasgow."
