Scottish universities are facing accusations of operating a "two-tier system" that prioritizes students who can pay tuition fees over academically qualified Scottish students, according to warnings issued to SNP ministers.
The controversy emerged as a father of a high-achieving 17-year-old student expressed frustration after his daughter was unable to secure a university place through the Clearing process. The pupil, who achieved top grades including four A's and a B at Higher level and two A's and a B at Advanced Higher, was reportedly locked out of courses in business, psychology, and related subjects at major Scottish universities.
Admission staff at universities like Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Strathclyde have cited Scottish government caps on funded places for Scottish students as the reason for the limited availability. This has led to a situation where fee-paying students from other parts of the UK and overseas can access available places, while Scottish students with strong academic records are reportedly being overlooked.
Data from the admissions service Ucas on A-level results day indicated that 2,403 courses were open to students from England paying fees of up to £9,535 per year through Clearing, compared to only 1,231 courses available to Scottish students, who do not pay tuition fees.
The father of the student, who attended Boclair Academy in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, wrote to Education Minister Ben Macpherson to voice his concerns. He stated that the system appears to be based on "ability to generate higher fee income" rather than academic merit. He also pointed to a £40 million emergency cash injection provided to Dundee University, questioning why funded places for Scottish undergraduates have become so restricted that excellent students cannot gain access to appropriate local courses.
Scottish Conservative education spokesman Meghan Gallacher criticized the situation, calling it "damning proof that the SNP's university funding model is seriously flawed." She argued that the SNP's inaction allows fee-paying students to "leapfrog" Scottish students and urged for action to ensure opportunities for Scottish students are not further limited.
Universities have reportedly increased efforts to attract students from south of the border receiving their A-level results, including extending admissions hotline hours. Analysis of Ucas Clearing data showed Glasgow University offered 29 courses to Scottish students versus 43 for English students, while Stirling offered seven courses to Scottish students and 158 to those from England.
Education Minister Ben Macpherson responded by stating that "more Scots students than ever before have secured a university place this year." He emphasized that "Our protection of free tuition in Scotland means going to university is based on a person's ability to learn and not their ability to pay."