Lana Oconnell
Scottish universities have been criticised for prioritising Scottish students over those from the rest of the UK. In 2019, the Scottish government introduced a policy to increase the number of Scottish medical students, which led to criticism from universities and political opponents. The British Medical Association argued that universities should focus on making the Scottish NHS a more attractive place to work, rather than prioritising Scottish students. Additionally, Scottish students at Edinburgh University have reported feelings of alienation and classism, with staff being unfamiliar with the Scottish education system and qualifications. However, Scottish universities have seen a record number of Scottish students enrolling in recent years, with the Scottish government investing significantly in student support. The Scottish government controls tuition costs by restricting the number of funded places, which has resulted in a cap on the number of Scottish students in yearly intake.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scottish universities prioritising Scottish medical students | Yes |
| Reason | To increase retention of medical students in Scotland |
| Scottish universities prioritising Scottish students in general | No |
| Tuition fees for Scottish students studying in Scotland | Free |
| Scottish universities' yearly intake of Scottish students | Capped |
| Scottish government's funding for students' living costs | Boosted |
| Scottish government's funding for teaching | Likely to fall further |
| Number of Scottish students studying at Scottish universities in 2021-22 | 183,025 |
| Number of Scottish students studying at Scottish universities in 2020-21 | 180,170 |
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What You'll Learn
Scottish universities prioritising Scottish medical students
Scottish universities are prioritising Scottish medical students to increase the number of doctors who stay and work in Scotland after graduating. In 2019, the Scottish government announced that universities would recruit more medical students from Scotland, which would result in a decrease in the number of students from the rest of the UK. This decision was made to address the shortage of doctors in the country, with the hope that more Scottish students would remain in Scotland after completing their training.
The number of places for Scottish students is agreed upon between universities and the Scottish Funding Council. While there is no explicit denial of places for Scots to give advantage to fee-paying students, the nature of medicine courses makes it impractical to quickly increase the overall number of students. As a result, more places for Scottish students mean fewer opportunities for those from other parts of the UK. This has sparked some debate, with the Scottish Conservatives criticising the policy as "discrimination inherent within SNP higher education policy".
To address concerns about discrimination, Scottish universities have implemented initiatives to widen access to medicine. One such initiative is Reach, which has been running since 2010 and is supported by the Scottish Funding Council. Reach works with over 200 target secondary schools across Scotland that have low rates of progression into higher education. It also supports pupils with experience of care or those receiving free school meals. Since its inception, Reach has contributed to a 60% increase in applications from Scotland's most deprived neighbourhoods.
In addition to widening access, Scottish universities offer free tuition for Scottish students studying medicine as their first degree. They also provide scholarships and essay competitions for students from the rest of the UK and international students, fostering a diverse community.
While prioritising Scottish students in medicine has sparked controversy, it is part of a broader strategy to address workforce shortages and ensure a sustainable foundation for Scotland's NHS.
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The financial implications of prioritising Scottish students
Scottish universities have been criticised for prioritising Scottish students, particularly in the field of medicine. While universities deny claims that Scots are prioritised over more fee-paying students from elsewhere, they do acknowledge that medicine is an exception due to the nature of the course.
The Scottish Government has invested record amounts in student support, with free tuition for Scottish students and 'settled' or 'pre-settled' students from the EU/EEA/EFTA. The government covers the full costs of tuition for Scottish undergraduates studying in Scotland, which is around £7,610 per student. This funding comes from the ''main teaching grant', which was worth approximately £5,790 per student in 2023-24. Scottish students also pay a notional 'tuition fee', which is paid by the government on their behalf.
On the other hand, prioritising Scottish students can lead to a higher retention rate of medical students in Scotland, with more graduates staying to work in the Scottish NHS. This has a positive impact on the Scottish workforce and justifies the move to prioritise Scottish students in medicine, according to the government.
Additionally, prioritising Scottish students can have social and economic benefits. For example, there has been a record number of Scottish students from deprived areas entering university, with a 41% increase since the establishment of the Commission on Widening Access. This can help improve social mobility and reduce inequality.
However, the focus on prioritising Scottish students has also led to criticism and concerns about classism and discrimination against Scottish students at universities, particularly at the University of Edinburgh, where only 25% of students are from Scotland. Scottish students at Edinburgh have reported feelings of alienation and microaggressions, with staff being unfamiliar with the Scottish qualification system and making demeaning comments about Scottish accents.
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The impact on students from the rest of the UK
Scottish universities have been prioritising Scottish medical students, which has caused concern among universities as it disadvantages students from the rest of the UK. This move is expected to encourage Scots studying medicine elsewhere in the UK to train in Scotland. While Scottish universities can charge £9,000 a year in fees to students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, they offer free tuition to Scottish students, whose fees are covered by the Scottish government. This has resulted in a cap on the number of Scottish students, with universities filling the remaining spots with students from elsewhere in the UK or overseas who can afford the fees.
The impact of this policy on students from the rest of the UK is significant. Firstly, it results in fewer opportunities for students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to study medicine in Scotland. The number of places available to them has decreased, making it more challenging to secure a spot in Scottish medical schools. This reduction in opportunities is particularly notable given that medicine is a highly competitive field with limited places available overall.
Secondly, the policy may contribute to a perception of discrimination or unfair treatment. Students from the rest of the UK may feel that they are being unfairly disadvantaged based on their place of domicile. They may perceive the policy as a form of positive discrimination that favours Scottish students at their expense. This could lead to feelings of resentment or frustration among students who have worked hard to pursue a career in medicine and now face additional barriers.
Additionally, the financial implications for students from the rest of the UK cannot be overlooked. With Scottish universities charging higher fees to students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the cost of studying medicine in Scotland becomes more prohibitive. This may place a significant financial burden on students and their families, potentially limiting their choices or even deterring them from applying to Scottish universities altogether.
Lastly, the policy may impact the overall diversity of the student body in Scottish medical schools. With a reduced intake of students from the rest of the UK, the medical schools may see a decrease in the representation of different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. This could potentially affect the richness of the educational experience and the variety of ideas and viewpoints that contribute to the learning environment.
While the Scottish government's decision to prioritise Scottish medical students aims to address workforce needs, it is important to recognise the consequences for students from the rest of the UK. These students face reduced opportunities, financial challenges, and a potential sense of discrimination. It is crucial for universities and policymakers to carefully consider the impact of such policies and strive for a balanced approach that promotes equality of opportunity while also addressing specific workforce requirements.
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The number of Scottish students at Scottish universities
Scottish universities have been criticised for prioritising Scottish students, particularly in medicine courses. In 2019, the Scottish government introduced a new target to increase the number of Scottish-domiciled medical students, which was expected to lead to a reduction in places for students from the rest of the UK. This policy was criticised by the Scottish Conservatives, who claimed it was "deeply damaging discrimination". The British Medical Association also commented that Scotland should be careful not to reject talented students based on their location.
The number of places for Scottish students at Scottish universities is agreed upon by the universities and the Scottish Funding Council. Scottish universities have denied claims that they deprive Scots of places in favour of fee-paying students from elsewhere. However, as Scottish universities can charge £9,000 a year in fees to students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, there is an incentive to attract these students.
In recent years, there has been a record number of Scottish students at Scottish universities. In 2021-22, 183,025 Scottish-domiciled students enrolled at Scottish universities, an increase of 1.6% from the previous year. This included 33,880 full-time first-degree entrants, a 41% increase since the establishment of the Commission on Widening Access. The Scottish government has invested significantly in student support, and this has been reflected in the increasing number of Scottish students taking advantage of local universities.
Despite these positive trends, Scottish students at Scottish universities continue to face challenges. For example, at the University of Edinburgh, only 25% of students are from Scotland, and these students often come from working-class backgrounds. Scottish students at Edinburgh have reported feelings of alienation and microaggressions, with staff being unfamiliar with the Scottish qualification system and students facing demeaning comments about their accents. In response, the Scottish Social Mobility Society was founded to provide a community for Scottish students and address issues of classism and discrimination.
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Scottish students experiencing classism and discrimination
Scottish universities receive direct public funding for each Scottish student, with the Scottish government covering the tuition fees of Scottish undergraduates who study in Scotland. This has resulted in a cap on the number of Scottish students in universities' yearly intake, with the remaining spots being filled by students from elsewhere in the UK or overseas who can afford the fees.
Scottish students at the University of Edinburgh have reported experiencing classism and discrimination. The Scottish Social Mobility Society, a student group at the university, was founded to address these issues and provide a community for Scottish students, who are predominantly from working-class backgrounds. The group has received over 200 complaints of discrimination and has highlighted the "deep-rooted classism and exclusion faced by Scottish students". Instances of discrimination include demeaning comments about students' accents and a lack of understanding of the Scottish qualification system among staff. The university has been accused of creating an environment where staff are unused to advising Scottish students and where anti-Scottish sentiment is prevalent.
Edinburgh University is not the only institution facing these issues. In 2019, the Scottish government announced plans to increase the number of Scottish medical students, which was met with criticism from universities as it would disadvantage students from the rest of the UK. This move was seen by some as "deeply damaging discrimination" against students from outside Scotland.
While the Scottish government aims to increase opportunities for Scottish students and retain talent within the country, the capping of Scottish student intake and the resulting socioeconomic gap at universities have led to feelings of alienation and discrimination for Scottish students. These issues highlight the complex dynamics of higher education funding and the need for universities to balance their international reputations with the inclusion of Scottish students.
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Frequently asked questions
Scottish universities do not prioritise Scottish students to give more fee-paying students a chance. However, they do cap the number of Scottish students in their yearly intake as tuition fees are covered by the Scottish government. Universities then fill the gap with students from elsewhere in the UK or overseas who can afford the fees.
Scottish universities do offer scholarships for international students. International students, including those from the EU/EEA/EFTA, pay international student tuition fees.
Scottish universities are free to choose how many fee-paying students from the rest of the UK and outside Europe to admit. Universities Scotland has expressed its pleasure that more Scots are able to study medicine in Scotland, but it is unfortunate that students from other parts of the UK will lose out.
