Scottish universities to widen access for students from deprived areas

Scotlands 19 higher education institutions will work to make admissions fairer and faster for applicants. Picture: Getty Images

Universities across Scotland have vowed to widen access to people from the most deprived areas of the country at a faster rate.

Action to be taken includes contextualised admissions, making clearer the minimum entry requirements for all courses, making it easier for students to move from college direct to university courses and guaranteed offers for care to experienced applicants who meet minimum entry requirements.

The 15 recommendations of the Working to Widen Access report are to be enacted at Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions. Universities Scotland said it will make a “significant contribution” to a Scottish Government target of deprived backgrounds making up 20 per cent of the student population by 2030.