The Herald has this today:
Scottish students from deprived backgrounds are far less likely to get into university than their equivalents south of the border, the Scottish Conservatives have claimed.
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23749348.pupils-deprived-backgrounds-less-university-access/
Once more, a journalist accepts Tory propaganda based on a fundamental misunderstanding of Higher Education in Scotland.
UCAS only deals with 2/3rds of the University Applications for Scottish universities the other 1/3rd are processed in Scotland and probably consist of those going to a local College, first to do HNC & HND level, then transferring into University and those doing the Direct Access route. Both of these routes are likely to appeal to disadvantaged students for various reasons but mostly cost.
Latest:
From George S Gordon
I wonder how many times this non-story has been recycled. This is the real story –
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “These statistics are clearly not comparable – the Ucas figures for England cover both universities and colleges, while the Scottish figures only cover universities.
“In recent years, we have seen a record number of Scottish students from deprived areas enrolling in university for the first time, with a recent report from the Commissioner for Fair Access making clear that Scotland continues to set the pace in the UK in terms of fair access to higher education.
“Since we established a Commission on Widening access in 2014, there has been a 41% increase in the number of university students from deprived areas.”
And of course UCAS confirms the point about colleges –
“In Scotland, there is a substantial section of provision that is not included in UCAS’ figures. This is mostly full-time higher education provided in further education colleges, which represents around one third of young full-time undergraduate study in Scotland.”
Talking-up Scotland 
I wonder how many times this non-story has been recycled. This is the real story –
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “These statistics are clearly not comparable – the Ucas figures for England cover both universities and colleges, while the Scottish figures only cover universities.
“In recent years, we have seen a record number of Scottish students from deprived areas enrolling in university for the first time, with a recent report from the Commissioner for Fair Access making clear that Scotland continues to set the pace in the UK in terms of fair access to higher education.
“Since we established a Commission on Widening access in 2014, there has been a 41% increase in the number of university students from deprived areas.”
And of course UCAS confirms the point about colleges –
“In Scotland, there is a substantial section of provision that is not included in UCAS’ figures. This is mostly full-time higher education provided in further education colleges, which represents around one third of young full-time undergraduate study in Scotland.”
https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/statistical-releases-daily-clearing-analysis-2022
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We have the ace up our sleeve which is the absolute certainty that those young people in Scotland who go to university gather a better understanding of politics in Scotland together with a clearer understanding of Englands greed for Scotlands resources culminating in an ever increasing number of young people unequivocally in favour of Scottish independence the Laborious Party the Concerning Party and the LibDemolition Party bought off by the Westmonster regime continue to do englands dirty work for them all part of englands propaganda war on Scotland
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meanwhile,
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/aug/27/ex-schools-tsar-blames-tories-for-north-south-exam-divide
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And so much for the Torons much-vaunted levelling-up policy, it only applies when they are directing funds to their supporters
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Leaving the 25% of mature students out of the statistics once again. There is no attainment gap in Scotland when they are included. Scotland has the highest % pro rata in the world. 30% from School 25% mature students (over 21), 7% EU students (50% less Brexit). Reciprocal courses. Foreign students pay the full cost. 65%+. The next is Canada. 56%. US 45%. Countries with selection even less.
Scotland has the highest number of universities pro rata. 15 pop 5.4Million. Colleges and apprenticeships. All pupils have a further worthwhile destination. Additional needs support is improving. Based on ability not the ability to pay.
The Tory unionists are sprouting nonsense as usual.
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