Added 16th September 2009

Thousands of extra pupils scrambled for places at leading Scottish universities from Edinburgh to Dundee. According to the official figures issued by UCAS, the number of pupils choosing to accept their unconditional offers in Scotland has risen by 15% in 2009 in comparison to 2008.

By yesterday morning when the Scottish exam results were announced, an incredible 20,708 Scottish applicants were accepted. This will have a significant impact on the numbers who will be able to go to university in Scotland post the imminent clearing date as place numbers are reportedly already under pressure. Abertay University, in Dundee, said that they experienced a marked increase in the volume of calls compared to the previous year. Abertay are also offering twice as many places as last year, in spite of this, there are still fewer vacancies than in previous years.

With demand on higher education continuing to rise and continuing pressure on places, this is having a direct impact on student accommodation. Companies such as CRM Student Accommodation have already filled their double deluxe and double superior rooms for the forthcoming academic year in the Dundee area. 

However there are still a number of flats available within The Hub purpose built apartment block complex, located just opposite the main university campus.Heriberto Cuanalo of CRM Students explained, “The Hub has five student apartment blocks surrounding and an enclosed courtyard setting. All the student rooms are built to a high standard and are fitted with dishwashers and microwaves, leather sofas, high-speed broadband.

Students want modern facilities that are going to be affordable, and we try and accommodate them as far as possible, most utilities bills, apart from phones are included in their rents within The Hub for example. We still have a handful of student flats available in Dundee for those who have gained their places in Dundee but are now looking for accommodation but we anticipate that all of these will be booked in the next few weeks.”

Each year, universities attempt to predict what proportion of candidates will take up their places to ensure they are not oversubscribed (incurring financial penalties from the Scottish Funding Council through students accepting legally binding offers from such courses). This year will be no exception and with added pressure on available places, the start of the 2009 student year is set to see record numbers join the world of Higher Education.