A RECORD number of Scottish students have secured places at a Scottish university this year, new figures show.
Acceptances to Scottish institutions for home students increased by 7% to a new high of 37,805, according to the latest statistics from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas).
There has also been an 11% increase in acceptances from the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland (SIMD) to all UK universities, up 665 on last year to a record 6500.
Overall acceptances to Scottish providers is 49,280. This is an increase of 2930 (+6%) since last year.
In addition, 17.8% of all Scottish 18-year-olds from the most disadvantaged areas will enter university. This is a record-high proportion.
Minister for Higher and Further Education Graeme Dey said: “It is hugely encouraging to see a record number of Scottish students from our most disadvantaged communities getting into university.
“This demonstrates the strong progress being made on widening access to higher education and ensuring every young person in Scotland has an equal chance of success, no matter their background or circumstance. I commend our universities for the key role they have played in helping to deliver this.
“We have also seen overall acceptances for Scottish students reach a new record high. These figures show the great strength and resilience of Scotland’s education system.
“Our resolute commitment to free tuition and our enhanced student support offering ensures that access to university remains based on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay, ensuring that the opportunity of a university education is available to everyone, regardless of their background.”
The news comes one day after a Scottish Government-commissioned study covering student finance and wellbeing in 2023/24 found between half and two-thirds of students reported experiencing financial hardship over the academic year.
Between a quarter and a half of students reporting financial difficulties had skipped meals, the study said, and further education students and those from under-represented groups were more likely to have done without.
A total of 2429 students were surveyed from 16 Scottish colleges and 16 universities.
Sai Shraddha S Viswanathan, president of the National Union of Students Scotland, called for greater financial support for students along with measures to bring housing and travel costs down.
“This study shows that students are struggling in a system stacked against them,” she said. “It demonstrates clearly that the level of financial support available to students is inadequate to cover the cost of living.
“This is particularly true for college students and students from under-represented backgrounds who on average are more than £4000 short of what they need to survive.”
