Scottish Qualifications Authority results were released across Scotland at 09:30 and UCAS confirmed that so far 28,700 Scottish students have had their places in higher education confirmed.
This is a 1% increase from last year despite a fall in the population of Scottish 18-year-olds, traditionally the largest group of applicants to Scottish providers. The proportion of young people entering higher education, the ‘entry rate’, has increased to 21.7% (the highest level recorded in recent years).
SQA results day is an important indicator of the state of further and higher education in Scotland as a large majority of Scottish applicants are placed on this day. More Scottish applicants will be placed at providers throughout the UK over the coming weeks, typically more than 5,000 individuals.
Applicants can sign in to Track on the UCAS website, www.ucas.com, this morning to see if they have been accepted or are eligible for Clearing – and they’ll be able to make a formal Clearing choice from 10:00.
After checking their status in Track, eligible applicants are free to explore Clearing vacancies on the UCAS website. They’ll need to call universities beforehand to discuss courses that interest them, in search of a potential offer.
Commenting on the results, Clare Marchant, Chief Executive of UCAS, said:
“Well done to all those students who have worked so hard to get their results and secure their place at university or college.
“If you have not done as well as you had hoped, try not to worry. Take some time to think about what you want to do next, and seek advice from those who know you best – parents, teachers, and friends. You have plenty of options.
“If you decide you still want to start a degree this year there will be around 40,000 courses in the UK with Clearing vacancies.
“Last year, 1,770 students from Scotland secured their place in higher education through Clearing.
“Everything you need to research your options and use Clearing is on www.ucas.com. There is simple advice and how-to videos, and you can ask our advisers questions via Facebook and Twitter, where you can talk to us on @ucas_online.
“If you’re uncertain about your options, you can also speak with an experienced careers adviser by calling the Skills Development Scotland’s Exam Results Helpline on 0808 100 8000.
“They will be able to offer personal support, including advice about course choices, apprenticeship opportunities, volunteering, or employment. It will be open from 08:00 until 20:00 on 8 and 9 August, and from 09:00 to 17:00 from 10 until 16 August.”
Notes to editors
A full statistical overview is also available here.
About UCAS: UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is a charity and the UK’s shared admissions service for higher education. We manage applications from over 700,000 applicants each year, for full-time undergraduate courses at around 380 universities and colleges across the UK.
UCAS Communications: 01242 545 469