On the day that students found out that they had delivered record-breaking exam performances, it was also revealed that more Scottish applicants were accepted into Scottish universities than last year.

Figures published by the university and college admissions service Ucas showed that a total of 22,770 Scots had a place at a Scottish university on exam results day, 550 more than last year. This represents a rise of 2 per cent.

Minister for youth employment Angela Constance said the government had delivered access to university “based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay, backed up with increased university places”.

The rise in the number of acceptances was “great news”, said Gordon Maloney, president of NUS Scotland. The creation of 8,000 additional places over the next four years by the Scottish government had been “vital to ensure that there are increased opportunities to access a degree”, he said.

Universities Scotland director Alastair Sim agreed that the increase was “very welcome” and said that the “vast majority of well-qualified applicants (would) get a place at university”.

Colleges also still offer opportunities to people looking to take the first step into post-school education. John Henderson, chief executive of Colleges Scotland, said those who had received their results should contact colleges in their region to find out more about courses, progression routes and qualifications available.