SNP MSP Ruth Maguire raises the issue of retention and the commissioner agrees there is "attrition at every stage".

He says students from SIMD areas are less likely to progress to second year, more likely to obtain a general degree rather than honours, and less likely to get a first class honours,.

Giving people the maximum opportunity to progress and ensure degree criteria is not biased is important, Professor Scott argues.

All college and university students should have an income of at least £8,100 a year, according to an independent review of student finance.

The report, external, commissioned by the Scottish government, also recommended changes to the student loan system.

The £8,100 figure would be a mix of loans and bursaries determined by personal circumstances.

Student leaders said "serious investment" was needed to change the "broken" support system.

The Scottish government said it would take time to consider the recommendations and set out its next steps "in due course".

Read more.

Image source, bbc

Prof Scott says universities give some weight to personal statements in UCAS froms, but research shows personal statements work against widening access.

The fair access commissioner says all universities take contextual data into account in making individual offers, but they tend to have their own customised systems.

SNP MSP Richard Lochhead asks about rural deprivation.

The commissioner says the original targets were focused on the most deprived communities and it would require the government to change its mind about that.

He says he supports focussing on communities but says universitisies should have as much information as possible about individual applications.

Professor Scott suggests there needs to be more work to increase the number of applicants from SIMD20 areas.

Tory MSP Liz Smith raises concerns about having access to the best data.

The commissioner says progress is being made on this.

The current dominant measure - Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (or SIMD) - remains the best indicator, Professor Scott states, though he agrees other measures should also be used.

However, he expresses concern about the proliferation of such markers because this could inadvertently widen the definition of inequality beyond those that need the most help.

Universities Scotland has backed a change to the admissions system to move to what is describes as "contextualised admissions".

The would mean the decision to offer candidates a place would take far more than exam results into account.

Image source, Chris Ison

How will the system work?

Universities will publish the minimum entry requirements needed for each course which starts in 2020.

The requirements may be lower for applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.

But, crucially, universities will not actually guarantee a place to those who meet that minimum standard - except when the applicant has been in care.

If a youngster successfully takes part in a university outreach programme, that could add to their chances of getting a place.

On other occasions, more attention could be paid to the personal statements made by youngsters on their application forms or on how well they do at interviews or on assessment days.

Image source, bbbc

Prof Scott says there will be a Fair Access delivery group meeting next week and he says he has been told the government will respond to his recommendations then.

He says he understands the response will be made public via a ministerial statement.

The fair access commissioner says there should be specific targets for articulation.

He defends the four year degree but says better use could be made of the first year.

Image source, Science Photo Library

Prof Sir Peter Scott suggested a number of ways of improving access to university, including:

• Allowing well-qualified applicants to enter university in second year
• Making sure college students who move on to university always have their college qualifications taken fully into account
• Making sure the free places given to EU students do not disappear if the Scottish government decides not to continue offering them free tuition after Brexit
• At present EU students are also entitled to free places at Scottish universities paid for by the Scottish government under European law

Professor Scott accepts that some of his recommendations are more challenging that others and highlights that there has not yet been a response to his call for a review of the total number of funded places.

Labour MSP Johann Lamont asks about ensuring mature students, who did not have the opportunity upon leaving school, can access to higher education.

The commissioner agrees adults returning to education should be given equal weight in terms of improving access.

Image source, PA

Bolder steps are needed to make sure more people from disadvantaged areas go to university, an official report says.

The Scottish government wants a fifth of students at each university to come from Scotland's poorest areas by 2030.

In his report, the government's Fair Access Commissioner, Prof Sir Peter Scott, highlights good work already being done.

But he warns this may not be sufficient and says universities and the government should do more.

• Scottish universities move to overhaul admissions
• How should Scottish universities reach the most disadvantaged?
• Challenges facing Scottish universities after Brexit

Image source, bbc

Fair Access Commissioner Sir Professor Peter Scott says the issue of his independence has come up and he says in his written evidence , externalhe explains how he feels about that.

Sir Peter says it has been a privilege to work on this issue.

The professor says universities perhaps feel they are being weighed down by the number of recommendations.

He says many of the recommendations urge faster progress and topics for discussion, including whether there needs to be a rethink of the measure of success.

Jamie McIvor
BBC Scotland education correspondent

It's not so much the level of the drop in the number of applicants from disadvantaged areas that's significant - more the fact there's been a drop at all.

It's the first time for a decade the numbers have moved in this direction and this drop demonstrates just how hard it is to make progress.

Image source, JBYARD

Universities already run a number of schemes to help attract applicants from disadvantaged areas and recently they produced an action plan.

For instance, they will pay less attention to exam grades when it comes to deciding who should be offered a place and look more at the individual's qualities, experience and potential.

But there are other factors to consider too, including raising attainment in schools and encouraging youngsters and parents who come from backgrounds where university may not seem like a natural option.

It may seem trite to say this, but persuading a youngster with no friends or relations who have been to university that it may be a place for them is not always easy.

Role models and outreach schemes can be hugely important.

It is worth bearing in mind that ultimately what matters is how many youngsters from disadvantaged areas get into university - not how many apply. It is still possible the number who actually get in this year will rise.

But the long term targets won't be met unless applications rise too.

Fair Access Commissioner Professor Peter Scott begins by noting successes in Scottish higher education, including the fact it has the highest rate of participation in the UK.

He says there is little to apologise for in terms of the Scottish government's focus on higher education.

Progress has been steady across the higher education sector, says Prof Scott, representing a commitment to the fair access agenda.

The commissioner warns that a heavy focus on the ancient universities often means progress in the colleges sector is "downgraded".

Image source, Thinkstock

University applications from 18-year-olds who live in the poorest parts of Scotland have fallen for the first time in a decade, according to a new report.

Data from admissions body Ucas, external showed a drop in the number of applications was sharpest among those from disadvantaged areas.

Higher Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville conceded there was "more work to do".

But Scottish Conservative spokeswoman Liz Smith said the drop was "worrying".

The number of applications to universities from 18-year-olds in the most disadvantaged parts of Scotland fell from 1,970 last year to 1,900 this year, by the January 15 deadline.

The total number of applications from Scottish students aged 18 or under fell from 18,710 in 2017 to 18,000 in 2018.

The report from Ucas also noted that the application rate for people living in the most advantaged areas in Scotland had actually increased.

Read more here.

Image source, bbc

Education Committee convener James Dornan introduces the witnesses for the fair access to higher education evidence session:

• Fair Access Commissioner Sir Professor Peter Scott
• Lynn MacMillan, the strategic lead for access within the Scottish government

The Education Committee is taking evidence on fair access to higher education from:

• Fair Access Commissioner Sir Professor Peter Scott
• Lynn MacMillan, the strategic lead for access within the Scottish government

Image source, Thinkstock

The commissioner is independent of government and responsible for leading a system wide effort to deliver fair access to higher education in Scotland, including the development of a framework for fair access, external.

Take a look at thecommittee papers, external and written submissions, external.

This morning the Education and Skills Committee will take evidence from the Commissioner for Fair Access.

Image source, Chris Ison

This afternoon, ministers face questions on the rural economy and connectivity, and the environment, climate change and land reform portfolios.

The Budget Bill will then be debated at Stage 3.

Image source, Getty Images

Labour MSP Neil Findlay will end the day with a debate on St John’s Children’s Ward.