Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley MSP Tom Arthur has welcomed figures showing a record number of 18-year-olds in Scotland secured a university place on exam results day.
UCAS figures show the number increased to 17,920, up from 17,350 the previous year.
The figures also show a record number of 18-year-olds from Scotland’s most deprived areas secured a place. The number rose by almost 7% to 2,090.
Overall university acceptances among Scottish students of all ages reached 32,370.
Commenting, Tom Arthur MSP said: “This is fantastic news for young people in my constituency and across Scotland. A record number of 18-year-olds securing a place at university is testament to their hard work and the support of their families and teachers.
“It is particularly welcome that record numbers of young people from Scotland’s most deprived areas have fulfilled their ambition to go to university.
“At a time when students in other parts of the UK face eyewatering levels of debt, the SNP’s continued commitment to free tuition is opening opportunities for young people here in Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley.
“Exam results this week show that poverty related attainment gap has narrowed thanks to the SNP government investing £1.75 billion in the Scottish Attainment Challenge over the past decade.
“Of course, university isn’t the right choice for everyone and that’s why it is so welcome to see record a record number of vocational and technical qualifications being achieved by students this year.
“The SNP will always be committed to ensuring that access to education is based on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay, and that the opportunity of a university education is available to everyone.”