FINAL figures for university applications last year show Scottish institutions were more likely to accept applicants from England than in previous years.

The change follows the introduction of fees for students from the rest of the UK of up to £9000 a year.

Figures from applications body Ucas showed that, although English applicants to Scottish institutions fell, acceptances increased.

As a result, English applicants were 30% more likely to be accepted to a Scottish institution in 2012 than they were in 2011.

In 2012, 70% of acceptances at Scottish institutions were from Scotland and 10% were from England.

Acceptances from Scottish applicants rose 0.3% to 30,900 in 2012.