A RECORD number of young Scottish students have secured a university place in Scotland, official figures have shown.
Almost three-quarters (72%) of Scottish applicants aged 19 and under, a total of 18,780, have gained a place at their first choice university.
This is an increase from 69% (18,680) last year and 65% (15,670) in 2019, figures from Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) confirmed.
Overall, 30,050 Scottish students have been accepted onto a higher education course, compared to 30,490 (-1%) in 2022 and up from 28,750 in 2019 (+5%).
Higher Education Minister Graeme Dey welcomed the figures and said he was “encouraged” to see a record number of 18-year-olds from the most deprived areas getting into university.
UCAS clearing data also showed that for successful Scottish applicants, more female students than male were accepted across all age groups.
For 18-year-olds, 8810 Scottish female applicants were accepted, compared to 6260 Scottish male applicants.
Commenting on the UCAS figures, Dey (pictured below) said: "I would like to congratulate all students who have gained a place at a Scottish university and it is encouraging to see a record number of young Scottish applicants securing a place.
"Over 30,000 Scottish students have now got a university place this year, including 29,220 at Scottish institutions, which is above pre-pandemic levels and we also know this is likely to increase in the coming days and weeks as more applications are processed.
"Widening access is a priority for this Government, so I was encouraged to see a record number of 18-year-olds from the most deprived areas getting into university.”
Dey said that while applications have fallen, this is due to a decrease in mature students who “ “may be taking advantage of the buoyant jobs market” and seeking employment rather than higher education.
"Direct entrance to university is only one of the options available to young people,” Dey added.
“Scotland has excellent opportunities through apprenticeships and college educational routes, including higher education courses, which can support individuals in whatever it is they choose to do.”
Clare Marchant, UCAS chief executive, said: “Today I am delighted to see record numbers of young Scottish people celebrating receiving their first choice.
“While the number of overall applicants is down, we typically see a fall in mature applicant numbers when employment rates are high.
“Today’s figures show that demand for going to university or college is still healthy and much higher than pre-pandemic levels.”
Marchant said that students who applied were more likely to secure a place demonstrating that the “admissions system is continuing to deliver for students”.
She added: “For any students who may not have received the grades they were hoping for, there is still plenty of choice available to you, with tens of thousands of courses in Clearing and our Clearing Plus tool able to help match you to personalised choices.”
We told earlier how students celebrated as the overall pass rate for all National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers increased from the 2019 pre-pandemic level.
