How many Scottish students are still 17 when starting Uni?

[Ban6]

My DD's got a place at Glasgow Uni starting in 2023. We're in England and she'll be 19 when she starts. She's a bit concerned that lots will only be 17, so she'll stand out. I've told her it's common to stay for S6 now and take Advanced Highers. Is that right though - ie new Uni students are mostly 18 now rather than 17? I don't want to tell her the wrong thing!

You lot are fabulous, thanks! It's really helped her to know that she won't be 2 years older than the majority. Maybe gap years are more of a thing here now as English students have to pay fees. Several from DD's year are using the year to earn a few quid to help ahead. Obviously there are lots travelling too though!

btw, yes Glasgow sounds like a brilliant place to be a student. I'm really excited for her!

What is she studying?

I was 16 when I started Glasgow Uni, did a year abroad as well and was finished an Ordinary Degree at the age of 20. Ah, the olden days.

I was 17, 18 in the November and I had finished 6th year.

DD will be 17 when she starts, turning 18 in the February and again that's if she leaves after 6th year.

I didn't notice any difference. People didn't go around publicising their age. Although I am not a drinker so didn't get involved in that side of uni.

ElizaB22 she's studying English. She likes the idea of the flexible degrees so is looking forward to trying other subjects alongside.

Thanks again to all for replying. She's fine about it now. 🙂

My son will be 18 in the November after starting Uni. He is the youngest in his class (there are a few in the year younger than him but not many) so I don’t think many are 17. A lot of the Jan/Feb birthdays defer school start so I don’t think this is as common as it used to be. Not many kids go to uni after 5th year either.

ds(18) has just started uni this year after S6. Some of his friends are still 17 so have missed out on freshers etc. There will some starting at 17 and there could be some who will not turn 18 until the end of February (but less common due to Jan/Feb birthdays deferring).

Glasgow Uni has a high % of international students as well, esp from Asia, South America and Europe so there will be all ages and diverse backgrounds when she starts. The uni is amazing, great sports facilities and clubs as well as teaching and socialising!

dd turned 18 on the first day of fresher's week. Her flatmates are also 18 (Scottish student) 20 and 19 (English) and 20 (international).

Back in the day I left after s5 so I was only 17, my son is in s5 now and him leaving school next year seems so young! It seems much less common for people to start from s5 now, and it wasn’t all that common when I went either. My birthday is May so I was older for the school year. My son is an April birthday so assuming he does s6 he’ll be 18 when he starts Uni.

My other son is November birthday so he’ll be 17 when he leaves school even if he does s6, he’s not likely to be able to get to Uni straight from school though

I was 17 when I went to uni (2008-12) and was definitely in the minority. All my friends who weren't already turned 18 in October. At Glasgow uni there are a decent amount who come up from England so between that, gap years etc there were plenty of people starting at 19 or older. She definitely has nothing to worry about. I'd imagine if anything the average student will be older now than when I was there given the cost of everything now.

Back in 1990 I was 19 when I started Uni - one of my friends was 17, it made no difference. Most are joy 17 though.

Thanks to all again - my DD is feeling fine about it all now. I think she was just having a bit of a wobble!