DS can’t apply to Glasgow uni for economics as he’s from Scotland? Have I misunderstood this?

[sunshinechaser]

My DS is only in S3 but he’s expressed an interest in studying economics at uni. I’ve got no idea if he will be academically able and how well he’ll do in his highers but I thought I’d have a browse online at the entrance requirements. Glasgow uni seems to be in the top 10 of unis to study economics so I checked the entrance requirements and I think from what I read on the UCAS website is that he can’t apply as he’s from Scotland. Have I got this right? I can’t believe this might be the case if correct. I could be totally wrong as I have no clue with I’m applications and processes yet-I’ve got all this to look forward to with him!

To me that looks like this years intake - all universities are allocated ‘free’ spaces for students by the Scottish gov which might all be filled now.

Students from out with Scotland may still be able to apply as they will pay fees.

Who knows how this will have changed when he is eligible to apply in 2/3yrs - just make sure he knows to get the best marks possible to open as many doors to him.

Doesn't that just mean applications are now closed for Scottish students for this September?

I assume that is because they don't pay fees so perhaps the number of places funded by the government is full. The other students will pay for their places.

Is it because they need more students who pay higher fees?

That's for the new intake for the coming academic year. The university will have reached their cap for domestic students for the next intake.

It may be that they have their quota of Scottish students for this year as applications will have been done and places offered as its exam season.

There will be a certain number of spaces in future years if he wants to apply then

I think you’re right. It’s (I'm happy to be corrected) related to the fact that Scottish students don’t have to pay fees to attend Scottish universities. The Scottish government provide the funding to the universities, the caveat being that their is a finite pop of money , and so only a limited number of pupils from Scotland can be accepted.

Edited to add, I’d also assume it was for this years intake. When the time comes for your ds to apply, it should he fine.

The same happens here. Dd had to study hours from home because our local uni only had places for international students when she applied. So expensive but she couldn’t wait another year.

Ah I get it! Thanks all. I thought all Scottish students would be prevented from
applying in order to raise more money from
fees. I’ll calm down now thanks 😂

Well it is a bit shit regardless I think. Your child could have 5As at higher, but if all other Scottish applicants did too your child won’t get in, but a much less talented child from overseas (or England) would be welcomed. I think there should be the option for the Scottish student - if they amass the same UCAS points as an English student but don’t get in initially - to pay the tuition fees and get in.

Totally agree, it’s like the situation a couple of years ago when the only students that got into Law at Edinburgh uni from Scotland were ones who live in areas of deprivation. This capping of Scottish students is unacceptable. They must allow an option for Scottish students to pay.

A friend was telling me her DC wanted to apply to Glasgow to study economics this year. She applied to UCAS on time - before Christmas - but when she went to apply for Glasgow the economics course was no longer an option. She assumed that Glasgow decided not to offer it this year which thought was odd. So it is not just the spaces have been taken now. If they were taken they were taken well before UCAS closed its deadline - despite universities agreeing that all applicants in before the January deadline are treated equally.

I wonder if it is like those courses in Edinburgh and was only open to widening access applicants (though Edinburgh had also accepted applications from people who were never even going to be considered)?

DD applied for economics at Scottish unis but is in her final year so info might be out of date. She applied for top 3 before UCAS deadline (StA, Edinburgh and Glasgow) with plan to add Heriot Watt and Strathclyde just before deadline if no offers. She met the standard offer rates for her top 3 based on her Highers (no widening criteria). Got offers from both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Got rejection from StA Glasgow offer was after deadline but Edi before. I looked up offer rates for Econ at Edinburgh for Scottish students and it was above 50% last year. Perhaps you could find out similar for Glasgow. DDs school was good at managing expectations for competitive courses. DD was upset at not getting her top choice but never felt entitled to a particular uni. She went to a school where 5As at H was very common so could understand the competition.

The free uni isn't what it's cracked up to be. It's just another SNP flag waving ill though out policy.

My 3 are glad of no fees (and living near decent unis to commute). My middle one works in NE of England and his english friends from graduate scheme has been paying back £££ each month (well paid grad scheme).

As a parent of 2 in uni and one about to attend, I’m grateful for the fee payment. Our DC work to self fund alongside their student loans and if fees were to be paid as well, they just couldn’t go.

I really rather wish they’d taken up a trade all things considered in today’s job market.

Apprenticeships are a difficult route too, a relative’s son who left school with exceptional grades decided to follow this route had to attend 3 interviews for the one he finally got.

It’s a tough gig for school leavers these days and while I agree the scheme isn’t what it’s proposed to be, I’m personally appreciative of it.

@PearlStorkyour DD sounds a similar age to our eldest. That was a difficult year so soon after Covid.

Our DD didn’t get her first choice even with 7 Highers and 2 AH & this establishment never enters into clearing.

She had to go elsewhere, complete & pass a first year as well as doing an industry related summer internship, then travel for a year while reapplying before receiving an unconditional for her desired place. Even after all that they still refused her entry into 2nd year and as she so desperately wanted to go there, she started again. Her repeat first year a total waste of time academically sadly but she’s enjoying it now (phew)

But without the additional money students from England or overseas bring in, the university would not be able to run the course so… not that unfair.

…. but I agree, if they want to pay higher fees, they should be able to.

Universities are on the bones of their arses financially. The system has been underfunded for decades, even with fees, and it’s likely worse in Scotland where home students don’t have to pay at all. Significant numbers of universities are in the red and selling off the family silver to survive. Expect to see mergers and more department closures over the next few years.

International students (who pay often up to double the fee) are subsidising our students and many courses would be cut if we didn’t have them.

@ChocoChocoLatte impressed with your DDs determination for a particular course. I thank DDs school for managing expectations. She has had a great time at the uni she accepted and would choose it over all others if she had her time again. Has found most graduate schemes she's been applying to this year "university blind". One did ask outright at the final set of interviews but for all the others she could have been at the university at the bottom of the league table for all they cared. Saying that for the scheme that is her 1st choice success rate is more than double from Oxbridge compared to RG unis (3-4 times non RG).

it’s likely worse in Scotland where home students don’t have to pay at all

This is not true - fees for home students in Scotland are capped at £1820. As a graduate, if I wanted to do another undergrad degree I would have to pay this. For most students the government pays. But in total Scottish universities receive £7610 for each Scottish student from the Scottish government.

Saying that for the scheme that is her 1st choice success rate is more than double from Oxbridge compared to RG unis (3-4 times non RG).

This brings us back to a private study I saw reported recently that found graduate salaries were most highly correlated to A level results not degree, ie more academic children got higher paying jobs in adulthood

@PearlStork They do care about what an applicant can do and tests give the same recruitment results as before university blind! The application tests are designed to sort the wheat from the chaff and entrance to elite university tends to do the same (not just Oxbridge). So one would expect similar employment outcomes. However in Manchester it would not be Oxbridge grads being more successful as fewer apply to Manchester firms. Ditto many other cities and jobs outside London.

@CleaningSilverCandlesticks my DD said she'd read something where familiarity with the types of testing used in graduate schemes might contribute to success as well. She's on a finished uni bender atm but when she's recovered i will ask for the source.

The UCAS deadline has passed and offers will have been made for this year. But also economics will be on offer as the second or third subject for arts and social science students (three subjects in first and second year) and you can often change your degree pathway after first or second year.

Thanks @Caitrose1. I don’t have a clue about UCAS etc so I’ll need to really try and find out about it before DS starts applying in S5. He will too obviously so I’m hoping his school helps him out.