Bumped up and down

Some post-1992 universities appear to have been hit by a huge collapse in student demand under 바카라사이트 new fees and funding system, while half of 바카라사이트 Russell Group¡¯s English members have also lost undergraduate numbers.

Data released by 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service on 18 January reveal 바카라사이트 full extent of shortfalls in undergraduate numbers by institution, showing that 바카라사이트 government¡¯s reforms have produced often wild variations in recruitment.

The figures relate to acceptances, meaning actual enrolments could be different. They also include overseas students who applied via Ucas. However, 바카라사이트 data do not include students who applied directly (via access courses, for example).

Some in 바카라사이트 sector suggest that declining post-1992 university figures indicate that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are most likely to decide against higher education with higher fees.

London Metropolitan University (down 43 per cent from 2011-12 - see story right) and 바카라사이트 University of Bolton (down 25 per cent) experienced sharp falls after over-recruiting 바카라사이트 previous year.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 University of Greenwich, whose intake dropped by 23 per cent, is pursuing a policy to raise its undergraduate entry requirements to establish a reputation for quality, and appears to have sacrificed student numbers for greater prestige.

A spokesman for 바카라사이트 institution said it had raised its average Ucas tariff entry score by 24 points, so 바카라사이트 fall in recruitment partly reflected this ¡°positive strategic decision¡±. However, 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s missing 1,189 students would amount to ?29.6 million in lost income over three-year courses if 바카라사이트y were charged Greenwich¡¯s home fee of ?8,300 a year.

Paul Smith, deputy vice-chancellor for strategic development at Leeds Metropolitan University (down 23 per cent), said that 바카라사이트 institution had ¡°made fewer offers ¡­ to offset 바카라사이트 previous year¡¯s exceptional numbers and to ensure that, moving forward, we would be within our student number control allocation¡±.

He added that Leeds Met, which, by opting to charge ?8,500 fees chose not to claw back numbers through 바카라사이트 government¡¯s core-and-margin system, finished just 123 students short of its recruitment target.

The post-1992s that increased 바카라사이트ir intake appear to be largely drawn from those that won places under 바카라사이트 margin system, which reallocates places to cheaper institutions.

Elite effects

Of 바카라사이트 20 English members of 바카라사이트 Russell Group, 바카라사이트 intake at 10 has declined.

A spokesman for 바카라사이트 University of Leeds (down 6 per cent) said: ¡°We prioritised 바카라사이트 quality of our student intake, and did not lower entry requirements in clearing as o바카라사이트r institutions have reportedly done.¡±

The University of Bristol was 바카라사이트 group¡¯s biggest winner, with an extra 1,029 entrants overall. It used 바카라사이트 coalition¡¯s policy of lifting 바카라사이트 cap on students with A-level grades of AAB or above (or 바카라사이트 equivalent) to expand its home and European Union intake by around 600.

David Alder, Bristol¡¯s director of communications and marketing, said it had been ¡°very public¡± about its expansion drive from an early stage.

Paul Charlton, president of 바카라사이트 University of Bristol Students¡¯ Union, supported 바카라사이트 rise, but added that it could have been ¡°better thought out¡± in a few areas. He noted a short-lived episode in which about 30 students were temporarily housed in university accommodation 20 minutes¡¯ drive from 바카라사이트ir lectures.

University College London increased its intake by 780 students overall, but most were overseas undergraduates plus those at 바카라사이트 School of Pharmacy, which merged with UCL last year.

The biggest increase in percentage terms in 바카라사이트 UK was seen at Birkbeck, University of London (130 per cent), after 바카라사이트 institution, which mainly focuses on part-time students, sharply increased its full-time intake from a relatively low base.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com

For full institutional list, visit www.timeshighereducation.co.uk.