Dundee’s constituency MSPs have welcomed UCAS figures showing both city universities have attracted increased numbers of applications from students to study in Dundee this year.

UCAS figures show application numbers for Dundee University up 2.7% and Abertay University up 4.9%.

Figures also show that while the number of Scots seeking places at Scottish Universities is only slightly down, at a drop of 1.1%, the comparable number for English students applying to English Universities has dropped by 16.4%.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “I welcome the rising number of applications to both the city’s universities.

“It is a big vote of confidence in both institutions and a mark of their world-wide reputations for excellence.

“The figures are also a clear vindication of the Scottish Government’s policy of scrapping tuition fees for Scottish students.”

Dundee City East MSP Shona Robison said: “Both of our universities in Dundee continue to attract students from all over the world which reflects on the standing and the reputation they enjoy in the academic world.

“Across Scotland, our universities have seen a rise of 4% with applications now at their highest-ever figure. This shows that the Scottish Government is pursuing the correct policy unlike the UK Government whose hike of tuition fees has resulted in a considerable drop of students applying to Universities in England.”