There has been a “late surge” in the number of students applying to university, UCAS the university admissions service has revealed.
Although applications are still down by 6.4 per cent (22,000), numbers have improved significantly since November 2011, when the decision was made to let universities almost treble fees and applications declined by 12.9 per cent.
“Evidence of a late surge as the 15 January application deadline approaches is now emerging. Applicants are taking longer to research their choices but the applications flow has speeded up, as these statistics show. It remains too early to make predictions about the final year-on-year figures but we will be able to get a clearer picture after the deadline has passed,” UCAS Chief Executive Mary Curnock Cook said.
The UCAS figures relate to all applications for universities from the UK and overseas. Most of the decline is said to be from UK based students, whilst applications from countries outside the EU have increased by 13 per cent.
Universities UK Chief Executive Nicola Dandridge said: “As expected, December saw a significant increase in applications. It is very possible that the increase in applications will now continue right up until the 15 January 2012 deadline.”
“It is reassuring to see that the numbers of applications are recovering, but we will need to look closely at the January figures to see how they compare to last year, and specifically whether any particular groups of applicants have been affected by the changes to the funding system.”
University think-tank million+ warned that there has been a large downturn in applications from mature applicants. Its analysis shows a drop of 13.4 per cent in the number of applicants aged 21 or over in December, compared with the same time a year ago.
Professor Les Ebdon, Chairman of million+, said: “Rather than breathing a sigh of relief that application figures appear to be recovering, ministers need to launch a campaign to ensure that older students understand the loan system and the opportunities available.”
To find out more about tuition fee rises and university applications check out the following news stories:
Universities are ordered to reserve places for poorer students
Government pressure causes universities to slash fees
Universities seek last-minute changes
University applications fall by 15 per cent
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by Victoria Bamber
