For immediate release

RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS FROM DEPRIVED AREAS ACCEPTED TO UNIVERSITY

Announced last week by UCAS, the number of people successfully gaining a place at university from Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas is now at record levels.

The latest figures show the number of prospective students from the 20% most deprived areas – also known as SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) 20 – successfully getting a spot at a UK university has risen by 5% to a new record level for all ages and by 9% for 18 year olds. The increase for 18 year olds since 2016 is at a staggering 21%.

Furthermore, the newly produced UCAS figures also show the total number of Scottish students getting a place at a Scottish university has also hit a new record high of 28,970, up 4%. UCAS is the UK-based organisation whose main role is to operate the application process for British universities.

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey has welcomed these statistics and said it was a ‘sign of real progress’ with the Scottish Government’s drive to widen access to higher education and close the attainment gap.

Commenting, Clare Haughey MSP said:

“Although I never attended university, and whilst I know it isn’t for everyone, it is very positive to see the number of students from Scotland’s most deprived areas securing their university place at record levels.

“Since 2016, the increase in 18 year olds from such deprived areas has soared 21%, whilst the overall figure has increased to a record high for the third year in a row.

“This is a sign of real progress with the Scottish Government’s push to close the attainment gap and widen access to higher education. It is only right that every young person has an equal chance of success, no matter their background or circumstance, so the government’s actions must be applauded.

“I congratulate the young adults of Rutherglen and Cambuslang who received their exam results last week, and I am sure this will only be the start to many successful careers.”

ENDS

Notes:

UCAS figures can be found on the link below:

https://news.gov.scot/news/record-number-of-students-from-deprived-areas-accepted-to-university

Date published: 8th August 2018