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Scottish student numbers 'on course' for record | Scottish student numbers 'on course' for record |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Ministers have claimed a record number of Scots students will gain places at Scottish universities and colleges. | Ministers have claimed a record number of Scots students will gain places at Scottish universities and colleges. |
It follows concerns some fee-paying students from England may be given places before their Scottish counterparts. | It follows concerns some fee-paying students from England may be given places before their Scottish counterparts. |
A total of 22,292 Scottish students have received places so far, a 3% rise from 21,630 the same stage in 2011. | A total of 22,292 Scottish students have received places so far, a 3% rise from 21,630 the same stage in 2011. |
By the end of the application cycle last year 29,075 Scots applicants were accepted at institutions in Scotland. | By the end of the application cycle last year 29,075 Scots applicants were accepted at institutions in Scotland. |
The application process and clearing process is continuing and the Scottish government said things were on course for a record number Scottish students to start university or college. | The application process and clearing process is continuing and the Scottish government said things were on course for a record number Scottish students to start university or college. |
However, critics have said the process is "unfair" as the number of places for Scottish students is limited by funding at some universities. | However, critics have said the process is "unfair" as the number of places for Scottish students is limited by funding at some universities. |
EU loophole | EU loophole |
Scottish and EU students are exempt from tuition fees at Scottish institutions. | Scottish and EU students are exempt from tuition fees at Scottish institutions. |
However, a loophole in EU regulations means that students from the rest of UK have to pay to study in Scotland. | However, a loophole in EU regulations means that students from the rest of UK have to pay to study in Scotland. |
Universities are given set funding for the admission of Scottish and EU students. | Universities are given set funding for the admission of Scottish and EU students. |
Education Secretary Mike Russell told BBC Scotland: "There is an absolute line between those who go paid for by the Scottish government and those who regrettably are part of what is a deeply flawed system south of the border which will not succeed for the individuals and for the system. | Education Secretary Mike Russell told BBC Scotland: "There is an absolute line between those who go paid for by the Scottish government and those who regrettably are part of what is a deeply flawed system south of the border which will not succeed for the individuals and for the system. |
"But there is no such competition and indeed the figures tell you that - 86% of places in Scottish universities are held by Scottish young people. | "But there is no such competition and indeed the figures tell you that - 86% of places in Scottish universities are held by Scottish young people. |
"There's nobody being crowded out from that, quite the reverse." | "There's nobody being crowded out from that, quite the reverse." |
A spokeswoman for Universities Scotland said demand for places had been high and the expectation was that it could be a good year for student numbers. | A spokeswoman for Universities Scotland said demand for places had been high and the expectation was that it could be a good year for student numbers. |
A University of Edinburgh spokesman said: "The Scottish Funding Council allocates each university in Scotland a number of funded places for students from Scotland and the EU, and imposes financial penalties should institutions over-recruit against this number. | A University of Edinburgh spokesman said: "The Scottish Funding Council allocates each university in Scotland a number of funded places for students from Scotland and the EU, and imposes financial penalties should institutions over-recruit against this number. |
"The University of Edinburgh intends to fill all of its allocated places for Scotland and EU students this year." | "The University of Edinburgh intends to fill all of its allocated places for Scotland and EU students this year." |
UK figures | UK figures |
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) figures also show that Scotland is the only part of the UK which has seen a rise in university and college admissions. | Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) figures also show that Scotland is the only part of the UK which has seen a rise in university and college admissions. |
A total of 35,781 pupils have been accepted to Scottish institutions to date, fractionally up by 244 on this time last year. | A total of 35,781 pupils have been accepted to Scottish institutions to date, fractionally up by 244 on this time last year. |
Meanwhile, applications to institutions in the rest of the UK are down by almost 8%, from 349,112 at the same admission stage in 2011 to 322,134 this year. | Meanwhile, applications to institutions in the rest of the UK are down by almost 8%, from 349,112 at the same admission stage in 2011 to 322,134 this year. |
Mr Russell added: "Scotland is the only country in the UK to ensure young people, our workforce of the future, can go to university based on ability, not the ability to pay." | Mr Russell added: "Scotland is the only country in the UK to ensure young people, our workforce of the future, can go to university based on ability, not the ability to pay." |
The Scottish Liberal Democrats called on Mr Russell to conduct a review of the clearing system. | |
Education spokesman Liam McArthur said: "A good place to start would be for the minister to organise a meeting with University Principals, NUS Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council to see what can be done to ensure greater fairness in the university clearing system." |