Cap on student numbers leads to rise in repeat applicants
THE number of young Scots being forced to reapply to university after previously missing out on a place has risen by five per cent in one year sparking concern over future funding of higher education.
New figures show the number of 19-year-olds seeking a higher education place in 2016 after being rejected the year before has jumped from 2,390 to 2,520.
The figures come at a time when more young Scots than ever are getting in to university.
But increasing numbers are also missing out because the system is publicly funded and places are capped.
NUS Scotland, which represents students, said too many young people who wanted to study at university were “unable to get their foot in the door”.
Vonnie Sandlan, the organisation’s president, said: “It is evident in the continued demand for a place from students reapplying at the age of 19 that we must do all we can to increase the places and opportunities available.
“For many young people the opportunity to take time out after school and reapply the following year will be a perfectly fine one.
“But many more will have no other option except to reapply.
“For those students who do reapply, but still miss out on a university place, it means a double blow. It could even potentially put them off education altogether.”
A spokeswoman for Universities Scotland, which represents principals, called for a debate about the right number of places that should be funded.
She said: “An increase in students re-applying is one factor, as is year-on-year improved performance in Highers and, of course, the big question of how we decide to take forward the recommendations on improving access to poorer students.
“We’d hope to have this conver- sation with government, and others, shortly after the election.
“A decision on places is one that only the next Scottish Government can make.
“If there is a decision to expand it will be important to make sure that any increase in university places is an increase in funded places so that students continue to receive the quality of teaching and pastoral support they deserve.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said the record number of applicants to Scottish universities demonstrated the “real ambition” on the part of young people.
He added: “We are continuing to invest over £1 billion in the sector to ensure it keeps punching above its weight on a global level. Scottishdomiciled students continue to benefit from free tuition, a key part of our work to ensure access to higher education remains based on the ability to learn not the ability to pay.”
Previous figures have shown that offer rates by Scottish universities to 18-year-old applicants from Scotland are in decline. In 2008 and 2009, universities made offers to around three quarters of applications from 18-year-olds from Scotland, but this dropped to 57 per cent by 2011 before a rise in 2014 and then another decline.
Meanwhile, a political row has erupted over plans by the Scottish Conservatives to increase funding in Scottish universities by a reintroduction of the graduate endowment.
The SNP said the introduction of the charge, which would see graduates pay a fixed fee at the end of their degree, would be the equivalent of a 4p rise in income tax for a graduate on the average salary raise their annual tax bill by £700.
The Scottish Conservatives hit back arguing that a “modest” graduate contribution, paid off by people after they had got a job, would help ensure better funding for higher education.
‘‘ We continue to invest £1 billion in the sector to ensure it keeps punching above its weight on a global level
FROM corsets and bodices to skimpy lingerie, 200 years of the history of underwear has been laid bare as part of a new exhibition.
From the practical to the sexy, the V&A Museum is charting the changing fashion in undies as part of its year-long Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear which opens on Saturday. The 200-plus exhibits chart the development of garments from the turn of the 1800 to the modern day. Picture: Anthony Devlin