University applications from Scots were up overall, but poorer areas showed a fall KEN JACK/CORBIS/GETTY IMAGESAn SNP drive to ensure that more disadvantaged people win university places has stalled after applications from teenagers in deprived areas fell for the first time in a decade. Statistics released by Ucas, the admissions body, showed that while inequality in application rates had narrowed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the gap had widened in Scotland. The results come despite Nicola Sturgeon imposing tough targets on universities aimed at driving up the number of people in higher education from poorer economic backgrounds. The first minister had said that closing an attainment gap between rich and poor in schools was her No 1 priority. For courses starting this September, application rates from 18-year-olds living in disadvantaged areas in Scotland decreased slightly compared with last year…

Source: The Times February 05, 2018 00:00 UTC