This report describes trends and patterns in school-leaver entry to higher education in Scotland. (School-leaver entrants to higher education are those who leave school and start higher education in the same year, or direct entrants.) The report uses data from the Scottish School Leavers' Survey (SSLS), a biennial sample survey of school leavers conducted in the spring after leaving school from 1978 to 1993. It is the first of a series of five reports based on analyses of the SSLS. The report is set in the context of recent developments in Scottish higher education, notably the rapid expansion of participation. It explores key policy issues, including the aim to widen access for school leavers from less advantaged social backgrounds, the role of sub-degree provision, and the role of secondary grades as preparation for higher education. The report maps school-leaver entry as of 1993, describes recent trends, and models the process of entry in order to understand student-level factors, which influence participation. Two appendices contain definitions and categories and statistical bases. Contains 22 references. (EV)