Today’s figures released for SQA results day show 17,350 Scottish 17- and 18-year-olds have secured a place this year, compared to 16,650 last year (+4.2%).
The number of 17- and 18-year-olds from the most deprived areas (SIMD Quintile 1) progressing to university or college this year is also at its highest – 2,060 compared to 1,950 in 2024 (+5.5%).
When looking at the proportion of Scottish 18-year-olds who have been accepted, 16.0% of the most disadvantaged (SIMD Quintile 1) have secured a place at university or college, compared to 43.6% of the most advantaged (SIMD Quintile 5). This means there has been a slight narrowing of the gap in progression rates between the most and least disadvantaged compared to last year.
In Scotland there is a substantial section of higher education that is not included in UCAS' figures. That is mostly full-time higher education provided in further education colleges, which represents around one third of young full-time undergraduate study in Scotland in total. Today’s figures on applications and application rates in Scotland reflect only those applying for full-time undergraduate study through UCAS.
Other key points from today’s release include:
- Overall, 31,850 Scottish applicants have secured a place this year, compared to 31,970 last year (down 120,
-0.4%). This decline is due to a fall in applicants aged 19 and over. - Of all those accepted, 29,840 Scottish applicants have secured their first (UCAS’ firm) choice – 93.7% of all Scottish students placed today. This compares to 30,270 in 2024 (-1.4%) and 28,830 in 2022 (+3.5%).
- A total of 3,660 international undergraduate students have been accepted at Scottish universities and colleges this cycle, compared to 3,480 last year (+5.4%) and 3,380 in 2022 (+8.2%). This year, 2,990 of accepted international undergraduate applicants are from outside the EU while 670 are from the EU as of today.
Dr Jo Saxton CBE, UCAS Chief Executive, said:
“I’m delighted to see record numbers of young people in Scotland accept a place at university or college via UCAS this year. Today’s figures also show record numbers of accepted students aged 17 and 18 from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. This is testament to the tremendous efforts being made to support widening access to higher education in Scotland.
“Everyone at UCAS offers congratulations to those celebrating today, and I would encourage any students considering higher education, even those who have yet to apply, to explore Clearing. There are plenty of options for you to consider, with around 27,000 courses, including more than 2,700 at Scottish institutions. UCAS’ team of expert advisers are also on hand to answer any questions on the phone, on our website and on social media.”
View the data in our interactive dashboard
ENDS
Notes to editors
In Scotland, there is a substantial section of higher education that is not included in UCAS' figures. That is mostly full-time higher education provided in further education colleges, which represents around one third of young full-time undergraduate study in Scotland – this proportion varies by geography and background within Scotland. Accordingly, figures on applications and application rates in Scotland reflect only those applying for full-time undergraduate study through UCAS.
UCAS Press Office
07880 488 795
communications@ucas.ac.uk (monitored regularly)
@ucas_corporate
UCAS
UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is an independent charity, and the UK's shared admissions service for higher education.
UCAS’ services support young people making post-18 choices, as well as mature learners, by providing information, advice, and guidance to inspire and facilitate educational progression to university, college, or an apprenticeship.
UCAS manages almost three million applications, from around 700,000 people each year, for full-time undergraduate courses at over 380 universities and colleges across the UK.
UCAS is committed to delivering a first-class service to all our beneficiaries — they're at the heart of everything we do.