Revealed: the Scottish uni courses for (feepaying) English students only

When Alex Salmond stepped down as First Minister, he famously unveiled a commemorative stone engraved with the message ‘The rocks will melt with the sun before I allow tuition fees to be imposed on Scottish students.’ If he wants to see melting, he should go to the UCAS website and look at the courses up for grabs in the clearing system – then change the settings to say you’re Scottish. The courses melt away. (For example, here is the English version of Glasgow University clearing courses: law, history, all sorts of gems. And here is the Scottish version).

Why the difference? Because England’s students bring fees. As a direct result opportunities are created for them – even in Scotland. Scottish Universities have freedom to create as many places for England’s students as they like. The number of places for Scots is capped by the Scottish government because each Scottish student* costs it money.