More Scots than ever apply to universities

An extra 800 Scots – a two per cent increase - have applied for degree courses. Total applications to Scottish universities have risen to 103,219, almost 40,000 of which were from Scots.

The UCAS figures also show that the proportion of school leavers applying has grown every year since 2007, with 18-year-olds from the most  disadvantaged areas of Scotland around 80 per cent more likely to apply than in 2004.

Education Secretary Mike Russell said: “It is good news that a record number of people living in Scotland have applied to university next year and that our universities continue to be a coveted choice around the globe. I am particularly pleased to see more school leavers from deprived areas applying.”