University applications widen

18 Jun 2015 01:37 PM

Jump in student applications from less well-off areas.

New figures show there has been a 50 per cent increase in Higher Education applications from 18 year olds in the most deprived areas of Scotland since 2006.

Research by UCAS shows that the largest proportional increase in people applying to universities since 2006 has been from Scotland’s most deprived areas, where application rates increased by 50 per cent over the period to 15.1 per cent.

Education and Lifelong Learning Secretary Angela Constance said:

“The Scottish Government has been very clear that we want every child, whatever their background, to have an equal chance of benefitting from higher education.

“This research indicates that we are making welcome progress to meet our long term target to eradicate inequality in access to higher education. But there is undoubtedly more to do and I am therefore pleased that the Commission on Widening Access, chaired by Dame Ruth Silver, has begun its work to advise Ministers on how our ambitions can be fully met.

“Indeed, the Commission will shortly issue a Call for Evidence, marking the start of a wider programme of evidence gathering and engagement. It is important that the Commission has access to a full range of evidence, including from those with lived experiences of barriers, and I therefore encourage everyone with an interest to respond to the call.”

Notes To Editors

The recent publication can be found here.

Anyone wishing to offer evidence to the Commission on Widening Access should emailwideningaccess@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or write to the following address:

Secretariat to the Widening Access Commission

Higher Education and Learner Support Division

5 Atlantic Quay

150 Broomielaw

Glasgow

G2 8LU