Massive rise in would-be mature students

Published on Monday 8 February 2010 21:40

UNIVERSITY applications from aspiring mature students in Scotland have more than doubled.

However, many of them face rejection due to the reduced number of places available. University admissions body UCAS says the number of people aged 25 and over applying this year soared by 108 per cent.

Education leaders warn of a crisis as record numbers of applicants fight for fewer places. The figures, published yesterday, also showed a 58 per cent increase in applications from the 21-24 age group.

Overall, the number of applications from Scots rose by 31 per cent this year, from 29,549 in 2009 to 38,763 this year.

Competition will be heightened by some universities reducing places to pay for extra students enrolled last year. National Union of Students Scotland president Liam Burns said: "Unless action is taken urgently, many thousands of talented people face being denied a university place just when we need them the most.

"This really is a crisis situation that demands immediate action from everyone in the sector."

It is understood universities will not be fined for oversubscribing in last year's unprecedented demand for places. However, they will not receive any funding for those above the limits and will offset their cost from this year's allocation. Edinburgh is reducing its 2010 intake by 1,300 places – nearly a third of the total – in an attempt to maintain overall numbers after a large increase in students last year.

University principals described the rise as "remarkable" and conceded that they faced difficult choices. Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, said: "No-one wants to turn away suitably-qualified candidates, but universities simply do not have the capacity to absorb large numbers of additional unfunded students.

"Without additional funding, universities don't have the infrastructure for major expansion. Large numbers of unfunded students would inevitably damage the quality of education and student experience for all."

The Scottish Government has given universities a real-term 2 per cent budget increase, while universities in England are facing thousands of job losses because of 5 per cent budget cuts.

Scottish education secretary Michael Russell said: "Clearly, today's figures do show a considerable increase in applications, but we need to be careful about how we interpret this information at this early stage in the year.

"In some cases, such as nursing and arts courses, this is due to changes in admission processes, while we expect that recent coverage about demand for places during the downturn has resulted in many more prospective students applying for courses earlier than in previous years."

'I have to get that magic piece of paper'

HAZEL Walker, 30, a second year psychology undergraduate at Aberdeen University, believed she had to get a degree to get on in life.

She said: "I had an HND and HNCs but I wasn't moving up the ladder because I didn't have a degree. I had periods of unemployment and thought if I'm going to get on, I have to get that magic piece of paper."

Although qualified in IT support she found it hard to find a job above the minimum wage to support herself and her ten-year-old son Dillan.

She said: "I decided to go down a different career direction to make something of my life. It's also good for Dillan to see you don't have to be stuck in a rut."

However, as a single parent, the only extra funding she has received has been from her university's discretionary fund which can stop at any time.

Despite applying for lone parents support from the government she has not received a penny, nor any reason why she is not eligible.

She said: "It makes it really hard. If it wasn't for the fact the university gives me money I wouldn't be able to go to university."