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Latest UCAS figures bring more positive news for Scottish students. 

Record numbers of students from Scotland continue to be accepted to Scottish Higher Education, according to the latest figures from UCAS.

Today’s publication coincides with A-Level results day and follows figures from last week which also showed more acceptances to Scottish Higher Education at that stage of the process than ever before.

Key points from today’s figures include:

• 26,590 Scottish domiciled students accepted to study in Scotland, also an increase of 4 per cent compared to this time last year
• 27,910 Scottish-domiciled students accepted to study in the UK, an increase of 4 per cent compared to this time last year
• 4,850 students from the rest of the UK accepted to study in Scotland, an increase of 3 per cent compared to this time last year
• 4,070 students from elsewhere in the EU accepted to study in Scotland, an increase of 10 per cent compared to this time last year.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Michael Russell said:

“I am very pleased to see that the record number of acceptances for Scots students entering Higher Education has been maintained at this latest next stage of the process, demonstrating real strength and resilience in Scottish education.

“Although our system is not focused on clearing, hundreds of prospective Scottish students have been accepted to study through the clearing process in the last week or so, which is also good news. Some clearing places are still available for Scottish domiciled students on a variety of courses around the country.

“The Scottish Government is committed to wider access to higher education based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay, backed up with increased university places for Scottish domiciled students from less well-off backgrounds. Today’s figures also show that Scotland remains an attractive place to study, having more universities in the world’s top 200 per head of population than any other country.

“This has been a landmark year in Scottish education and I wish those undertaking new studies in the coming weeks the very best of success. There are many who are still considering their options and the Skills Development Scotland helpline on 0808 100 8000 is still open for advice.”

Notes To Editors

Full UCAS data is available at www.ucas.com where prospective students can also investigate availability of university courses through clearing.

Students seeking advice on their options can contact the Skills Development Scotland helpline on 0808 100 8000.

School leaver data for 2012/13 is available at: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Statistics-on-school-leaver-attainment-destinations-and-healthy-living-dc6.aspx