Dundee West Labour
21 January 2020
A Scottish Government report on access to postgraduate study published this morning has revealed the stark inequality that exists in Scotland’s higher education system between students from deprived areas and those from more privileged areas.
Commenting, Scottish Labour Education Spokesperson Iain Gray MSP said:
“This report from the Scottish Government confirms what we already know; students from deprived areas continue to face disadvantages in the higher education system.
“The disparity in progress to postgraduate study between students from deprived areas and more privileged students shows that we continue to waste the talent and chances of too many young Scots.
“Cuts in grants have seen poorer students having to borrow more as they struggle to live through their studies – perhaps one reason they graduate with poorer degrees.
“In spite of the progress made on widening access, there is still a huge disparity between the “Ancients” and post-92 universities in creating access for poorer students. That is not good enough.
“It is vital that the government does all within its power to ensure students from disadvantaged areas have the same opportunity as those from more privileged areas. They need to reverse cuts to University funding and review the cap on student places which has failed to keep up with demand.”
A Scottish Government report on access to postgraduate study published this morning has revealed the stark inequality that exists in Scotland’s higher education system between students from deprived areas and those from more privileged areas.
Commenting, Scottish Labour Education Spokesperson Iain Gray MSP said:
“This report from the Scottish Government confirms what we already know; students from deprived areas continue to face disadvantages in the higher education system.
“The disparity in progress to postgraduate study between students from deprived areas and more privileged students shows that we continue to waste the talent and chances of too many young Scots.
“Cuts in grants have seen poorer students having to borrow more as they struggle to live through their studies – perhaps one reason they graduate with poorer degrees.
“In spite of the progress made on widening access, there is still a huge disparity between the “Ancients” and post-92 universities in creating access for poorer students. That is not good enough.
“It is vital that the government does all within its power to ensure students from disadvantaged areas have the same opportunity as those from more privileged areas. They need to reverse cuts to University funding and review the cap on student places which has failed to keep up with demand.”