'Awful' figures on fair access for most exclusive Scottish universities

What the NUS describes as 'a shocking record on fair access at some of Scotland's most exclusive universities' has been revealed from statistics released following an NUS Scotland Freedom of Information request. 

For example, St Andrews took in only 13 Scottish students from the most deprived backgrounds, while the Universities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen took just  91 and 51 students respectively. Glasgow and Dundee had around 5 per cent better figures.

The statistics come at the same time as universities are negotiating agreements on widening access with the Scottish Funding Council.  NUS Scotland says the figures show that Scotland has the worst record on widening access in the whole of the UK and is calling on Scottish universities to use the opportunity to prove their commitment to fair access, and to do more to get students from the most deprived backgrounds into university.

Robin Parker, President of NUS Scotland, said the results were 'shocking' and added:

'Unless institutions do more to widen access, they're missing out on some of those with the most potential, that could get the best degrees, and quite frankly, not doing their job properly.

"Scottish universities are currently drafting up agreements on widening access with the Scottish Funding Council. These statistics should act as a wake-up call and empower universities to take the steps required to make access fairer.'

Full details from NUS Scotland website