Thousands missing out on university place urged to 'reappraise aspirations'

THOUSANDS of applicants who face missing out in the scramble for fewer university places should "reappraise their aspirations" says the country's admissions chief.

Mary Curnock Cook, the head of Ucas, has also advised young people to consider going to university later in life amid the funding cuts.

Applications to UK universities are up by more than 100,000 this year despite there being 6,000 fewer places, and there are fears that tens of thousands of people will miss out despite having the required grades. Ms Curnock Cook said: "I can't wave a magic wand and pretend that they are going to have to do anything other than reappraise their aspirations.

"We have got a rise in the number of applicants. Clearly, entrance becomes more competitive."

She added that those who miss out should be looking at other options, at further education colleges, "and they really shouldn't be disappointed".

Meanwhile, it was also revealed yesterday that the number of Scots studying at English universities has soared in the past year, sparking fears of an exodus of young talent.

New figures show that the number of students choosing to travel south for a degree rose 6.6 per cent in 2009 compared with the previous year, despite Scottish students facing the extra expense of tuition fees and regular trips home.

Labour education spokeswoman Claire Baker claimed the SNP government's spending squeeze was making Scottish universities "less attractive" for young people when deciding where they want to study.

The Scottish Government insisted, however, that the numbers of Scots choosing to study in England was "miniscule" when compared with the large numbers who come to Scotland to study from England and abroad. Umbrella group Universities Scotland also claimed that higher numbers of Scots going to study in England was "no bad thing" and could be "good for Scotland".

The Scottish Government's Students in Higher Education at Scottish Institutions 2008-9 figures showed that 11,895 Scottish students moved to study in England in that academic year, a 6.6 per cent increase on the previous year's figures and the largest number since records of this type began.