Story perspectives

Scotland Records 17,920 University Entrants, Pass Rates Rise

8/4/2026

Summary

Scotland Sets Record

Scotland recorded a record 17,920 18-year-olds securing university places, up from 17,350.
Highland posted National 5 A-C pass rate of 76.9 % and Advanced Higher rate of 74.3 %, both higher than 2025.
Edinburgh reported 11,226 candidates with National 5 A-C pass rate of 80.9 % and Highers pass rate of 78.5 %, each exceeding 2025.
Education officials urged families to call Skills Development Scotland’s free Results Helpline (0808 100 8000) from 8 am on results day.

Summary

Government Boosts VET

Government earmarked up to £200 million this year, part of £1.75 billion Attainment Challenge.
Vocational qualifications rose 121 % above pre-pandemic levels, now covering sports, engineering, childcare and journalism.
Labour’s Katherine Sangster praised the rise but warned there is no room for complacency on inequality.
Conservative MP Andrew Bowie cited plummeting teacher numbers and spiralling school violence as exam challenges.
Green spokesperson Laura Moodie urged swapping high-stakes exams for continuous assessment.

History

Historical Context

In 2015 the Scottish Government launched the £750 million Attainment Challenge to close poverty-related attainment gaps in nine “challenge authorities”. The programme builds on the 2008 creation of Skills Development Scotland, the national skills agency that merged former skills bodies and underpins vocational delivery. Today MPs debate extending its funding to boost apprenticeships and higher-education enrolments.

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Scotland Sets Record

Scotland recorded a record 17,920 18-year-olds securing university places, up from 17,350.
Highland posted National 5 A-C pass rate of 76.9 % and Advanced Higher rate of 74.3 %, both higher than 2025.
Edinburgh reported 11,226 candidates with National 5 A-C pass rate of 80.9 % and Highers pass rate of 78.5 %, each exceeding 2025.
Education officials urged families to call Skills Development Scotland’s free Results Helpline (0808 100 8000) from 8 am on results day.

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