Applications from overseas students have increased

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) figures also show an 11% rise in applications from people living in England.

More than 72,000 prospective students had applied to Scottish Universities by the end of March - up 6% on the same time last year.

Overall, there were more than 11,200 applications from overseas.

Applications from students in the Irish Republic rose by 23% and there was an 18% rise in applications from other EU countries.

We are aware there is increasing demand by English students to study in Scotland and we will continue to closely monitor this demand Jim Wallace Lifelong learning minister

But applications from Scots showed little change on last year's level of 29,000.

The only drop was in people from Northern Ireland.

Almost 25,000 English hopefuls want a Scottish university place.

Scottish Executive ministers said that the increase in applications from England was being closely monitored.

There have been fears that the move to introduce top-up tuition fees in England could result in students applying to Scotland to avoid the extra charges.

Quality of life

Lifelong Learning Minister Jim Wallace said: "We are aware there is increasing demand by English students to study in Scotland and we will continue to closely monitor this demand.

"One of our guiding principles is to look after the interests of Scottish students and we are working to ensure that they are not disadvantaged by the impact of changes to the student fee system in England."

Mr Wallace said he was "encouraged" at the increased applications from overseas.

"This is a reflection of the world-class reputation of our universities, the quality of life in Scotland and programmes like the first minister's fresh talent initiative," he said.