Little Change in Numbers of University Applicants from Scotland

Yesterday, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) released their statistics on applications for full-time degree level courses at Universities in the UK beginning later on this year. University

Their figures include all applications considered 'on time' for their 15 January deadline and provide a reliable indicator of demand for higher education in the UK this year.

This year's figures for application rates for 18 year olds show a modest increase for those who live in Scotland - up 0.3%. At the same time the number of applicants for University who live in England has increased by more than 0.9%.

In relation to demand for degree level courses in our Universities in Scotland, there has been a significant rise in the number of applicants from outside Scotland. it is too soon to know what effect this rise in 'other UK' applicants will have on our Universities. These applicants from England, Wales and Northern Ireland pay hefty tuition fees, up to £9000 per year for Edinburgh and St Andrews University, which is well in excess of the fees paid by the Scottish Government for students domiciled in Scotland.

Drop in Applications to University from Potential Students in Scotland

Earlier today, the Universities and Colleges and Admissions Service (UCAS) published their first set of statistics on applications to university next year. Their report reveals that so far 52,321 applicants have applied from within the UK, compared with 59,413 this time last year, a drop of 11.9%. 

The statistics are an early indication of the total number of applications, but only show the number received by universities by 15 October. With the exception of Oxford and Cambridge Universities and courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine, candidates still have until 15 January to apply for a place at University starting in Autumn 2012.

The table below shows the picture in relation to to applicants living in Scotland which shows a decrease of 11.85% compared with the same period last year which is marginally less than the overall UK rate of 11.9%.

Table 4c: total applicants by domicile (UK only; arranged by region)

Table 4c: total applicants by domicile (UK only; arranged by region)
By UK region	2011	2012	Diff (+/-)	Diff (%)
Scotland	2,832	2,497	-335	-11.8%

The UCAS report also reveals that more women than men have been put off from applying to university. Some 10.5% fewer women have applied this year, and 7% fewer men.

Applications from mature students have also been markedly reduced. The proportion of applicants aged 40 or older has fallen by 27.8%, while those aged between 30 and 39 has dropped by 22.7%.

It is too early to know exactly what has effected this drop in applications from Scotland for a place at University. It is however a negative indicator as it is probable that undergraduate student numbers at Abertay and Dundee Universities will go down.