As the number of students applying to UK universities falls, figures show that applications to Scottish institutions have risen by 1%.

University admissions body UCAS released data that showed a 1% fall in applications to UK universities, while the applications in Scotland have increased.

As well as the 1% rise in Scots hoping to study at a Scottish university, there was also a 13% increase in applications to Scotland from international students from outside of the European Union.

Higher Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville hailed the latest figures as a sign of the "global reputation" of Scotland's universities.

She said: "These figures are a significant indicator of the strength of Scotland's global reputation as a welcoming and world-class study destination."

But she warned there was "more work to do" to help Scots from deprived backgrounds who want to go on to higher education.

Ms Somerville said: "While it is good to see Scotland's universities outperforming those across the UK, it is also vitally important that we continue to drive forward our ambition to widen access to university for people from our most deprived communities.

"In 2017, we saw a 13% increase in the number of people from the most deprived communities getting places to study at university. Today's application rate shows that there is more work to do if we are to see a similar increase in 2018."