Major shift in applications to Edinburgh's universities

The latest figures have revealed a major shift in the number of applications received by Edinburgh’s universities this year, with the University of Edinburgh being the only university in the city to experience a drop in interest.

Applications to the University of Edinburgh fell by 15 per cent, despite UCAS applications reaching a record high. The University received 45,258 applications last year, compared with only 38,329 this year.

Edinburgh Napier University saw a 25 per cent leap in the number of applications they received, while applications to study at the Edinburgh College of Art also rose by 13 per cent. Heriot-Watt and Queen Margaret University experienced a more modest increase of around seven per cent.

Several of Scotland’s oldest universities experienced a decline in interest. Applications to the University of St Andrews were down ten per cent, and there was a seven per cent reduction at the University of Glasgow.

The figures are thought to reflect the growing demand for vocational degrees in the difficult economic climate, as graduates struggle to find work. Of Edinburgh’s higher education institutions, the biggest increase occurred at Napier University. Edinburgh Napier is one of the UK’s top universities for graduate employment, boasting an employment rate of 93.7 per cent.

Speaking to The Journal, a spokesperson for Napier University said: “The rise in applications that we are currently experiencing can be partly attributed to our strong reputation for graduate employability and our close links with industry.”

The University told The Journal that the largest increase was in applications for Midwifery, Nursing, Engineering, Business Management and Journalism.

UCAS figures show that the biggest overall increase was in applications to study Medicine and Veterinary Science, closely followed by Creative Arts and Design.

The Edinburgh College of Art saw a sharp increase in the number of applications. A spokesperson told The Journal that they are attributing the increase to “the appeal of a small, specialist institution, the high standard of teaching and the quality of the student experience in a beautiful city.”

When asked about the possible effects of the merger with the University of Edinburgh, they said: “It is unlikely that the merger with the University has resulted in an increase in applications, because we saw such a dramatic increase in applications last year and this was before the merger proposal was announced.”