evidence: Almost a third (31%) who applied to Scottish universities — a rise of 17.3% — seem undeterred by a move by the Scottish Government to close the Irish passport loophole exploited by some Northern Ireland students to avoid paying fees at Scottish universities. [...] Ucas estimates that almost half of all Northern Ireland 18-year-olds (48%) have applied to enter higher education this year, and this compares with the much lower figures of approximately 35% in England and 30% in Scotland and in Wales. [...] The financial advantages for those who graduate may be less secure than in the past, yet the demand for higher education from Northern Ireland young people whether to study at home, or elsewhere in the UK, remains strong.