The Scottish government has announced that the number of 18-year-olds from deprived background being offered places at university, has reached record numbers.
Exams haven’t been sat since 2019, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, and this year’s group of students have seen a 32% increase on the numbers from then.
Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, said:
“Congratulations to everyone receiving results today after what has been another extremely challenging year. Whether you are now heading to university, college, or taking part in a modern apprenticeship, I wish you the very best for the future.
“These statistics are encouraging, particularly the fact we have a record number of 18-year-olds – the closest measure to school leavers – from the most deprived areas being offered a place at university. We want every young person in Scotland to have an equal chance of success, no matter their background of circumstances.”
As governments at every level, all over the United Kingdom, implement schemes such as levelling up, it is encouraging that more young people from the most deprived backgrounds are being offered higher education opportunities. One of the key goals for the levelling up project is to create increased and improved opportunities, in order to reduce the social and financial difference between the most prosperous areas of the nation and those that are more deprived.
Away from universities, Scotland has also seen increase in the number of young people going on to start Modern Apprenticeships, with an increase of 16% in comparison to last year.
