Applications via UCAS to Universities in Dundee Increase

Figures released today by the the UK University and College Admissions Service (UCAS), show an increasing number of applicants for places on degree level courses at our two Universities in Dundee beginning in August this year.

After the shenanigans about the SNP's proposed forced merger of our two Universities last year, it is good to see that applications to both institutions show a healthy increase with Abertay attracting a higher increase in applicants than Dundee.

Table showing applications to individual universities and colleges recruiting students through UCAS for autumn 2012

Code	Institution name	2011 Degree	2012 Degree	% change
A30	University of Abertay Dundee	5,622	5,898	4.9%
D65	University of Dundee	18,086	18,580	2.7%

While Scotland has bucked the trend in England of decreasing applicants to Universities, countrywide analysis of applicants indicates a decline in the number of applicants from disadvantaged areas in Scotland. This may unfortunately be the result of mounting unemployment amongst graduates. It will be important to monitor this to ensure that the decline this year if not the beginning of a trend.

UCAS ably supports students making applications to any University in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This begs the question as to whether this is another trusted and successful UK institution that, post independence, we should be excluded from?

Shocking Overview of Gross Inequality Revealed in High Pay Commission Report

Earlier today the High Pay Commission published their report: Cheques With Balances: why tackling high pay is in the national interest. 


It confirmed what many of us have suspected, that executive pay has got out of control and we are certainly not 'all in this together'.

Barclays Bank has disgraced themselves by employing the executives with the most stratospheric remuneration increases since 1980. Their top executive's earnings have increased by a mammoth 4899.4% since 1980, whilst wages for the average worker have only seen a three fold increase.


The High Pay Commission’s programme of reforms include:

• A radical simplification of executive pay
• Putting employee reps on remuneration committees
• Publishing the top ten executive pay packages outside the boardroom
• Forcing companies to publish a pay ratio between the highest paid executive and the company median
• Companies to reveal total pay figure earned by the executive
• Establishing a new national body to monitor high pay.

I say aye to tackling excessive pay and perks in the public, not for profit and private sectors.