Evidence mounts of Scots being passed over for university places in favour of overseas students

MORE evidence has emerged that hundreds of university places are being offered to foreign students, despite the courses being effectively closed to Scots.

Last week The Scotsman revealed that many of Scotland’s leading universities still had hundreds of places available to those from outside the EU, even though Scottish school leavers were being told they had only a limited chance of securing a last-minute place.

Figures published yesterday showed 72 law courses across Scotland are taking applications from foreigners, while only 42 have places for domestic school leavers.

More than 140 maths courses are available for international students, compared to just 47 for home students.

Places at Scottish universities are capped for Scots and those from the EU, while there are no restrictions on the number of fee-paying students from the rest of the UK and overseas.

Meanwhile, a report from insurance firm LV= said the average Scottish student will pay £31,060 in living costs while at university.

Non-Scottish students, who are not exempt from tuition fees, will spend an average of £55,360 on a degree at a Scottish university, the report said.

From the start of next term, students from the rest of the UK will pay up to £9,000 a year to study at Scottish universities.