The gap between the number of students from the least and most deprived areas gaining a place at university continues to close.
The number of 18 year olds from the most deprived areas accepted to university has remained the same as last year’s record high, while the total number of acceptances to UK providers from the most deprived areas is the second highest on record, UCAS data shows.
This comes alongside an estimated 3% decrease in the total number of 18 year olds living in Scotland.
The number of Scottish students gaining a place at a Scottish university is the second highest ever, while international students from outside the EU rose by 9% to 2,330, the highest figure on record.
Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said: “Congratulations to everyone who has secured a place at university. Every young person should have an equal chance of success no matter their background and by 2030 we want to see 20% of students entering university from Scotland’s 20% most deprived backgrounds.
“The Commissioner for Fair Access has said that Scotland is ‘setting the pace’ in the UK in widening participation, so I am pleased to see the gap in acceptances between those from the least and most deprived areas continues to decrease, with the number of 18 year olds from the most deprived areas accepted to university the same as last year’s record high.
“Access to higher education must be based on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay, which is why we abolished tuition fees and are providing financial support to those who need it most.
“We have also seen a jump in the number of international students being accepted into Scottish universities, proof of the massive pulling power of our world class higher education system.”
In the last year:
- Scots domiciled acceptances to Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) decreased by 4% to 27,880
- EU domiciled acceptances to Scottish HEIs decreased by 5% to 3,150
- Non-EU domiciled acceptances to Scottish HEIs increased by 9% to 2,330, the highest figure on record
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