SCOTTISH universities have seen a sharp rise in applications at a time when the rest of the UK sector is in decline.

Institutions north of the Border have had a 4% jump in the number of young people seeking to secure a place – with some recording increases of as much as 20%.

Official figures show total applications to Scottish universities are now at their highest-ever levels with more than 96,000 for the 2012 intake.

This is despite the fact the number of students applying to study in Scotland from the rest of the UK (RUK) has declined by 6% after moves to charge them higher fees. Across the UK, applications have declined by 7%, with the new annual fees of up to £9000 being blamed for putting people off.

The increase in student applications has been welcomed, although – as The Herald revealed yesterday – it will put extra pressure on places.

Michael Russell, the Education Secretary, said: "These figures will be welcome reading for Scotland's education sector and the resilience shown by applications to Scotland compared with the rest of the UK are a vindication of the approach the Scottish Government has taken on student fees and funding the sector.

"The full picture around acceptance figures will emerge later this year, but high levels of applications from abroad reflect the excellent reputation Scottish universities enjoy abroad.

"We are also taking action to protect places at Scottish institutions for Scottish students, which forms part of our work on reforming post-16 education in this country."

Robin Parker, president of NUS Scotland, which represents students, described the figures as a "ringing endorsement" of the Government's decision to keep Scotland free of tuition fees.

"Scottish applications have held up well, particularly when compared with elsewhere in the UK," he said. "With applications in England showing a drop, it's clear £9000 fees are putting huge numbers of students off."

There was concern over the decline in the number of RUK students applying to Scotland after the introduction of fees.

Gordon Watson, president of UCU Scotland, which represents lecturers, said: "These figures show the folly of the new fees regime and of allowing Scottish universities a free hand to hike up fees for students from the rest of the UK.

"While we are pleased education is free for Scottish students, we remain very concerned at the introduction of a market for other UK students."

A spokeswoman for Universities Scotland, which represents university principals, said the decline in RUK students was less marked than in other parts of the UK.

"While the overall number of English applicants is down, Scotland's share of those applicants has held steady and is the same as last year," she said.

"We're pleased that students across the UK and overseas continue to recognise the high quality of education on offer in Scotland."

Meanwhile, Liz Smith, education spokeswoman for the Scottish Conservative Party, highlighted an increase in the number of students from the EU, who don't have to pay fees.

"At a time when budgets are tight, the Scottish Government is duty bound to explain to taxpayers why they are being asked to foot the bill for the tuition fees of foreign nationals," she said.

A spokesman for Glasgow University, welcomed the institution's 11% rise in applications, saying: "This is a very strong endorsement of the high quality of education and of the student experience the university offers."

The figures also show applications to Scottish universities from international students are up by more than one-quarter.