As of midnight, 22,292 had won places, a 3.1 per cent increase on the same stage last year, as pupils receive their Higher and Advanced Higher grades today.

Although this year is the first time students will be charged up to ?9,000 a year in tuition fees by English universities, Scottish institutions will remain free for those living north of the border.

School pupils who failed to secure a place with their grades can now attempt to go through the clearing process, although there are reported to be ¡°few¡± places available.

Edinburgh Napier, the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of the West of Scotland and the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of the Highlands and Islands all have some availability, the BBC reported yesterday.

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But Scotland¡¯s research-intensive universities were reported to have ¡°virtually no places¡± as a result of high demand.

The pass rates for Scottish Higher and Advanced Higher exams were 76.9 per cent (up 1.8 per cent) and 80.1 per cent (up 0.9 per cent) respectively, according to the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

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A total of 158,908 pupils are receiving their results, a slight decrease on the previous year, caused by falling school rolls, the authority said.

The number of applicants from Scotland to Scottish universities was down 1.1 per cent as of the 15 January Ucas applications deadline this year.

There were 16.4 per cent fewer Scottish applicants to English universities at the same point.

david.matthews@tsleducation.com