Minister for Higher and Further Education has welcomed publication of the
Report on Widening Access 2023/24 by the Scottish Funding
Council.
Mr Dey said:
“These figures show that the number of people from deprived areas
in Scotland studying full time for their first degree in 2023-24
was the second highest on record.
“The number of Scots, from the most deprived areas, entering
university on full-time first degree courses is up 37% since this
government established the Commission on Widening Access, while
we have also seen record numbers of Scots from deprived areas
accepted to study in 2024, increasing by 11% since 2023.
“The findings today are a testament to the great work being done
by both our universities and colleges to improve access, with an
increase to 20.8% of all full-time entrants to undergraduate HE
courses, including colleges, coming from the most deprived areas.
“However, there is more to do to meet the goal of 20% of all
entrants being from the 20% most deprived communities by 2030. I
will continue to work constructively with the sector to create
more opportunities for people from the poorest backgrounds to go
to university and gain qualifications which will help in our
mission to eradicate child poverty.
“Our continued pledge to keep tuition fees free is also ensuring
that access to higher education is based on the ability to learn
and not the ability to pay.”
Background
Report on Widening Access 2023-24 Report on Widening Access
2023-24 - Scottish Funding Council
UCAS 2024 End of Cycle Data UCAS Undergraduate end of cycle
data resources 2024 | UCAS
