Scotland lures the students

Stirling University has an-nounced an all-time high in undergraduate admissions - 7 per cent up on last year.

There had been fears that recruitment would be hit by tuition fees and dwindling student support, but the first admissions reports from Scottish higher education institutions are upbeat.

Stirling senior vice-principal Mike Jackson said the record 1,376 undergraduate intake had been achieved without any more use of the clearing system than in the past. More than 500 new full-time postgraduates had registered, up 14 per cent on last year.

The University of Abertay Dundee also anticipates its biggest ever first-year intake, with more than 1,900 students confirming acceptances, almost 20 per cent up on last year. Queen Margaret University College in Edinburgh reports its most successful recruitment period. It has met its intake target for home students and exceeded its target for overseas students, 11 per cent of intake.