Highest number of enrolments from most deprived areas.
The proportion of full-time degree entrants coming from
Scotland's most deprived areas has increased to the highest level
on record.
Newly published Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) figures
for 2024-25 show 17.4% of entrants came from the 20% most
deprived areas – up from 16.7% the previous year. This is the
highest proportion recorded, and shows progress towards the
Commission on Widening Access's target that one in five students
entering university will come from the 20% most deprived areas by
2030.
The report also shows a 3.1% decrease in total university
enrolments on the previous year, including a 2.7% reduction in
Scottish domiciled students and a 22% reduction in students from
the European Union.
Minister for Higher and Further Education Ben Macpherson said:
“These figures show remarkable progress in widening access to
university, and towards ensuring that, if they want to, everyone
has the opportunity to fulfil their potential and study for a
degree at a Scottish university, regardless of their background.
“The Scottish Government has a mission to eradicate poverty, and
enabling people to take advantage of education and training
opportunities – regardless of their personal circumstances – is a
key part of that work, whether that's enabling people to go to
university, or college, or undertake an apprenticeship.
“More widely, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the
country's universities, the Scottish Government is working
pro-actively, including creating a new Framework for
Sustainability and Success of Scotland's Universities – an
important collaborative partnership with the sector and key
stakeholders to explore solutions.
“Of course, we are also conscious of the issues around declining
international student numbers, brought about through nonsensical
UK Government immigration policies. To try to mitigate this, we
have proposed a Scottish Graduate Visa as an idea that the UK
Government could implement, to encourage more international
students to study in Scotland by enabling them to stay in
Scotland after graduation.”
Background
Higher Education Student
Statistics: UK, 2024/25 | HESA
