Care-experienced students to be guaranteed university offers

Potential students who have spent any time in care - regardless of how short - will be guaranteed an offer of an undergraduate place at all of Scotland's 18 universities if they achieve the entry qualifications under the new initiative to significantly increase the number of care-experienced people going onto higher education. Competition for university places means that many would-be students are not given offers to study even if applicants would meet standard entry requirements. However, the pledge agreed by all of Scotland's higher education institutions and announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will guarantee offers for care-experienced people, starting for those applying to start in 2020.Ms Sturgeon said: "I warmly welcome this commitment to guarantee a place at university for care-experienced students who meet the new entry requirements."Education is by far the most effective means we have of improving the life chances of our young people. I am firmly committed to widening access to higher education and ensuring that all learners, regardless of their background, have an equal chance of entering university.