Care experienced applicants to be guaranteed place at Scottish universities if they meet minimum entry requirements

Care experienced applicants are to be guaranteed offers of undergraduate placements at Scottish universities if they meet minimum entry requirements.

Scotland’s 18 higher education institutions (excluding the Open University) are all included in the sector-wide move, which begins in autumn 2020.

The aim is to drive a significant increase in the number of care experienced young people going to university.

The guaranteed offer is significant because undergraduate degree places are in high demand and competition for places means that universities aren’t typically able to offer places to all applicants, even if and when they meet standard entry requirements.

The average offer rate for applications to study at university from Scottish domiciled applicants is between 50-55% meaning that, on average, only half of applications are likely to result in an offer.

The move was formally announced at an event at Glasgow Caledonian University with support from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, as well as the Principals of Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of St Andrews and a number of care experienced people.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I warmly welcome this commitment to guarantee a place at university for care-experienced students who meet the new entry requirements.

“Education is by far the most effective means we have of improving the life chances of our young people. I am firmly committed to widening access to higher education and ensuring that all learners, regardless of their background, have an equal chance of entering university.

“It is important that every young person has access to the learning that will provide them with the skills and qualifications they need to meet their aspirations and succeed in life.”
The guarantee is based on a move by universities earlier this year to set new minimum entry requirements which now apply to applications from care experienced people and people living in the most deprived 20 per cent of areas across Scotland, known as SIMD20.

There is a significant gap in the educational attainment of people with experience of care which means that 12% of “looked after” school-leavers have achieved at least one Higher or equivalent qualification compared to 62% of all school leavers.

At the moment, only 4% of looked after school leavers go directly into higher education, compared to 41% of all school leavers.

Professor Sally Mapstone, principal of the University of St Andrews, said: “This is a decisive and, I hope, catalytic step jointly taken by Scotland’s universities. It gives due recognition to the substantial achievement of people with experience of care who are successful in getting the grades for university having overcome very challenging circumstances at a young age.

“We hope it will enable more people with care experience to feel confident applying to university, knowing that their application is encouraged and will be supported.

“It is important that all of Scotland’s universities have made this guarantee together. That should provide the greatest possible clarity and visibility of this change to people with care experience wherever they live in Scotland and wherever they want to study.

“We’re not aware that any other university sector guarantee offers to care-experienced learners in this way and we hope it contributes to the Independent Care Review’s ambition of making Scotland the best place in the world to grow up.”

Professor Pamela Gillies, principal of Glasgow Caledonian University added: “Today’s announcement demonstrates that universities across Scotland recognise the importance of those who have had an experience of care and the huge potential they have.

“It was a pleasure to welcome the First Minister to Glasgow Caledonian University to formally launch our pledge to care experienced people who are considering applying to university.”