The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Fewer deprived students apply to university
HIGHER EDUCATION: Gap widening between the poorest and most affluent
University application rates from 18-year-olds from the poorest parts of Scotland have dropped for the first time in a decade, a new report has revealed.
New data from the universities admissions body Ucas also showed the application rate for those in the most affluent communities had increased “widening the gap between the most and least”.
Higher education minister ShirleyAnne Somerville conceded there is “more work to do” to increase the number of Scots from deprived backgrounds who want to go on to higher education.
But Tory education spokeswoman Liz Smith said the fall was “particularly worrying”.
She spoke out after new figures from Ucas, based on students who had applied to go to university by the January 15 deadline, showed application rates from 18-year-olds living in disadvantaged areas in Scotland – as defined by using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation – decreased in 2018, to 16.7%. This was the first decrease seen since 2008.
The report stated: “The application rate for applicants living in the most advantaged areas in Scotland increased by 1.9%, widening the gap between the most and least.”
The figures also showed a 1% rise in the total number of applications to Scottish universities, with a 1% decrease in the overall number applying to UK institutions
As well as a 1% rise in Scots bidding to study at a Scottish university, there was also a 13% increase in applications to Scotland from international students from outside of the European Union.
Ms Somerville said: “While it is good to see Scotland’s universities outperforming those across the UK, it is also vitally important that we continue to drive forward our ambition to widen access to university for people from our most deprived communities.
“In 2017, we saw a 13% increase in the number of people from the most deprived communities getting places to study at university. Today’s application rate shows that there is more work to do if we are to see a similar increase in 2018.”
She added: “Universities must do all they can to promote the opportunities available for learners from our most deprived backgrounds and to make them aware where there is still a chance to apply before the June 30 deadline.
“It is equally important that universities push ahead with the implementation of minimum entry thresholds so that the potential of those who do apply is recognised fairly within the application process.”