YOUNG people are facing record levels of competition to secure a university place in Scotland as a result of rising fees in England.

A straw poll by The Herald has revealed universities here are receiving increasing interest from Scots – with some seeing applications rise by more than 20%.

Official figures will be published today but, so far, Glasgow University has seen a rise in Scottish applications of 12% while those at St Andrews University are up 10%.

Other universities which have seen a rise include Edinburgh Napier, up 8%, the University of the West of Scotland, up 20%, and Heriot-Watt, in Edinburgh, up 22%.

Abertay University, in Dundee, has seen the smallest increase – just 1%.

A number of factors may have led to the rise, including the scarcity of jobs as a result of the recession, with rising youth unemployment particularly marked.

What is also likely to have made a significant contribution this year is the increase in fees for students wanting to go to university in England.

Scottish students continue to enjoy free education in Scotland, but face £9000 in fees every year if they go to a university in England.

Glasgow University had reported a 22% rise in the number of applications from England and a 37% rise in those applying from Wales. The rise came after the university undercut its rivals when setting fee levels for students from the rest of the UK at £26,000 for a four-year course.

By contrast, St Andrews University decided to go for the highest fees possible of £36,000 and registered a 5% reduction in applications from students from other parts of the UK.

In previous years, some 5000 Scottish students applied to go to university in England, but that was already down by 16% in December.

Robin Parker, president of NUS Scotland, which represents students, said greater interest in Scottish universities was positive, but urged the sector and the Scottish Government to ensure no-one missed out on a place. "If these figures are borne out then they're a fantastic endorsement of the Scottish Parliament's correct decision to keep tuition free for Scottish students," he said.

"With applications so far in the rest of UK showing large drops, it's clear £9000 fees are putting huge numbers of students off.

"We'll be working with the Government to try to find a way to increase numbers, and ensure a place for all those who want one. We would also call on institutions to do their bit, and recruit beyond targets where they can."

A spokeswoman for Universities Scotland, which represents the principals, said: "If these figures balance out across the whole sector, we're pleased to see Scottish students haven't been put off applying to Scottish universities by all the talk of £9000 fees, as feared back in the autumn.

"The Scottish Government has provided for extra places in certain subjects and at certain universities next year, which will certainly help to relieve some pressure, but competition for places may well continue to be fierce."

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government has calculated the country's higher education sector is set to contribute a 4.6% increase to Scotland's GDP over the next 40 years. The sector generates an estimated £4 billion annual output and more than 55,000 jobs.

Michael Russell, the Education Secretary, said: "The past 18 months have arguably been the most important in the history of higher education in Scotland.

"Student fees have been a matter for discussion across the UK and while we are committed to education in Scotland being free for Scottish students, we must ensure Scotland

remains the right place to study, and not just the cheap place. That's why we have allowed universities to charge fees to students domiciled elsewhere in the UK. This move prompted unhelpful speculation about how Scottish universities would suffer as a result.

"The final application figures for this year will be published later today and I am confident the Scottish sector will remain robust in a difficult period across the UK and we will remain on track to maintain the same high level of graduates being produced by our institutions.

"Research shows that up to 2051, should Scotland simply maintain the same output of graduates coming into the job market, that will account for a 4.6% increase in Scottish GDP over that period."