Student funding is a major issue when it comes to choosing a university, and that is maybe why more Scots are choosing to stay in Scotland

Mandy Telford National Union of Students

That rise compares to an increase of 0.6% in England and falls of 3.7% in Wales and 2.4% in Northern Ireland.

It says more students from England and Scotland are applying for places at Scottish universities than last year.

The National Union of Students (Scotland) welcomed the figures.

President Mandy Telford said: "This is great news and only goes to prove what people have known for years - that Scotland really does have the best education system.

"It also shows that student funding is a major issue when it comes to choosing a university and that is maybe why more Scots are choosing to stay in Scotland, so they get their fees paid.

Prince William will study at St Andrews University

"It is therefore about time that student funding was reviewed across the country so that everyone wanting to study will be able to do so without having to get into huge debt."

The Scottish Executive has abolished tuition fees for Scottish students studying north of the Border.

There is now a deferred payment of �2,000, which must be repaid when the student earns a salary of at least �10,000.

The study comes after figures showed that applications to St Andrews University have dramatically increased since it was announced that Prince William will begin his studies there in September.

Ms Telford added: "Of course, there can be no denying the fact that a certain prince is coming to study in Scotland this year.

The fact that nursing is the biggest growth subject is great news

Tony Higgins Ucas chief executive

"This will undoubtedly have influenced some people in their decision to come to Scotland."

In the UK as a whole, the number of people applying for courses has increased by 4,000 on last year.

The Ucas study showed that courses such as media studies, cinematics, nursing and computer science were proving more popular, while primary education, pharmacy and mechanical engineering had seen a substantial drop in applicants.

Ucas chief executive Tony Higgins said: "The number of people applying for higher education is well up on last year, which ended as a record for UK universities and colleges.

"The fact that nursing is the biggest growth subject is great news because it shows that moves to make the profession an attractive career are paying off."