Scottish universities hit access target ahead of schedule

Report shows rising proportion of students are from disadvantaged backgrounds

More than 16 per cent of first-time degree students at Scottish universities in 2019-20 came from disadvantaged backgrounds, according to a report by the Scottish Funding Council.

The statistic means institutions in Scotland have met a target set in 2014 by the Commission on Widening Access two years ahead of schedule. In 2016 the commission challenged universities to recruit 16 per cent of students from the most deprived areas by 2021-22.