The highest proportion of students drawn from deprived areas was the University of Paisley, where 34% of students were from so-called "low participation neighbourhoods".

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Ms Hyslop outlined the financial help while in Paisley to mark the merger of the town's university and Bell College.

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The study is conducted by Strathclyde University's Fraser of Allander Institute in conjunction with the chambers in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Paisley.

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