In the 2021-2022 academic year a record 5,595 students from Scotland's poorest areas gained entry to Scottish universities.
About 16.5% of entrants to higher education are from Scotland's most deprived 20% of areas, and the Scottish Government aims to have this figure reach 20% by 2030.
The Commissioner for Fair Access said the increase in deprived students entering universities has not come at the expense of students from more affluent areas, with increases in home students attending university across the board.
Ensuring fair access to university is central to the SNP Government’s vision of a fairer, more equal Scotland.
Scottish Ministers are committed to free tuition and enhanced student support offering makes certain that access to university will remain based on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay, ensuring that the opportunity of a university education is not denied to anyone, regardless of their background.
Tuition fees are £9,250 a year in England under the Tories and £9,000 a year in Wales, under Labour.
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