The total number of students from Scotland getting a place at a Scottish university hit a new record of 27,830.
Meanwhile, a record number of students from Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas have successfully gained a place at university according to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
The UCAS figures show the number of prospective students from the 20% most deprived areas – Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 20 - successfully getting a place at university has risen by 13% from 3,470 to 4,150 in the last year.
The figures, produced by UCAS each year to coincide with the release of Scottish exam results, mark the latest progress in the SNP Government’s drive to widen access to higher education.
Commenting, Kenneth Gibson said:
“Our goal is that everyone with the natural talent and ability has the chance to go to university.
"These new figures show that, year after year, we are making progress in widening access, with the number of students from Scotland’s most deprived areas up 13% in the last year alone. There is still more to do but that is a very welcome improvement.
“Significantly, we have done this at the same time as the total number of students from Scotland from all backgrounds getting a place at a Scottish university has hit a new record.
“The SNP Government will continue to do all it can to widen access and ensure all of our young people, regardless of circumstance, are given the opportunity to succeed.”
ENDS
