Fewer English students applying to Scottish universities, figures show

The figures also show that the number of Scots applicants to English universities has fallen by 16.4%.

From this autumn UK students from outside of Scotland will face fees of up to £9 000 a year, as will Scottish students studying elsewhere in the UK.

Responding to the figures, UCU Scotland president, Gordon Watson, said: 'These figures show the folly of the new fees regime and of allowing Scottish universities a free hand to hike up fees for students from the rest of the UK.

'While we are pleased that that education is free for Scottish domiciled students, we remain very concerned at the introduction of a market for other UK students. Universities should be ensuring education provision not maximising profit.

'While Scotland has seen a far smaller drop in university applications compared to the rest of the UK, higher fees south of the border appear to be forcing many students here to study locally instead of choosing courses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that may be better suited to them.'

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