Scottish Universities accept record number of 18-year-old students

The number of 18-year-old applications accepted to study here increased by 1.8%.

Published 15th Dec 2016

A record number of 18-year-old students have gained places in Scottish universities this year, according to new figures.

The Ucas End of Cycle report 2016 also shows that the number of 18-year-old students applying to higher education institutions across Scotland was its highest on record.

The number of 18-year-old Scottish applications accepted to Scottish institutions increased by 1.8% - the largest increase on record and the highest acceptance rate for this group since 2010.

Students in the age group applying to higher education establishments was also its highest on record with an increase of 3% proportionally.

In all four countries in the UK, 18-year-olds living in the most advantaged areas were much more likely to enter higher education than those in the most disadvantaged areas, according to the report.

However, in Scotland the entry rate for this age group living in areas of higher deprivation increased by 12% proportionally - the highest on record.

As a whole, a record high of 47,900 people were accepted into Scottish institutions this year - an increase of 3.2% or 1,500 additional acceptances.

Mary Curnock Cook, Ucas chief executive, said: "Although not all young people enter higher education through Ucas, our data is recording the largest annual increase in entry rates for Scottish young people since 2009, as well as a record 12% increase in the entry rate for 18-year-olds from deprived areas.''