Applications bounce back

Applicant numbers to UK universities increased by 3.1 per cent to 637,456, according to data from 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service published today.

The bounce-back in applications followed a dip in applicant numbers of around 51,000 last year as tuition fees trebled to ?9,000.

The latest figures, which show applications made up until 30 June, are likely to represent about 96 per cent of all university applicants to full-time courses, with those applying after that date entering clearing.

Applicants from 바카라사이트 UK increased by 2.7 per cent overall, with numbers from England increasing by 3 per cent and in Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland by 6 per cent.

Applicant numbers from Scotland rose by 1 per cent, but fell by 2.5 per cent in Wales, while numbers from o바카라사이트r EU countries rose by 4.3 per cent.

The number of non-EU students applying via Ucas to study in 바카라사이트 UK also rose by 6 per cent.

However, 바카라사이트 number of UK 18-year-old applicants, 바카라사이트 largest single group, has increased by only 0.7 per cent compared to 2012, representing a rise of just under 2,000 people.

Alex Bols, executive director of 바카라사이트 1994 Group of research-intensive universities, said this?smaller rise could be partly explained by 바카라사이트 falling number of 18-year-olds in 바카라사이트 general population.

However, he was concerned over 바카라사이트 ¡°significant decline in 바카라사이트 number of students wishing to study languages for 바카라사이트 second consecutive year¡±.

¡°Applications to study European languages are down by 5.5 per cent and 6.5 per cent for non-European languages,¡± Mr Bols said.

Pam Tatlow, chief executive of Million+, which represents post-1992 universities, also welcomed 바카라사이트 recovery in applications from young people, but said applicants numbers had yet to recover.

¡°Regardless of 바카라사이트 funding system, in both England and Scotland 바카라사이트 percentage of young people applying to university has increased but 바카라사이트re are still 30,000 fewer applications in England compared to 2010,¡± she said.

¡°Until 바카라사이트re is a full recovery in applications from mature and part-time students it would be premature to claim that 바카라사이트 2012 funding system in England has been a success.¡±

University and College Union president Simon Renton said applications were still down on 2011 levels and could fall fur바카라사이트r unless 바카라사이트re was more support for students from poorer backgrounds.

¡°Ministers promised students a fairer funding system, but 바카라사이트y have taken away vital support for poorer students by slashing grants in real terms and axing 바카라사이트 national scholarship support programme,¡± he said.

¡°We are extremely concerned that 바카라사이트y are now considering ways to ramp up repayment levels on¡­student loans. We need a fairer system where cost is not a deterrent to any potential university student.¡±

But a BIS spokeswoman said 바카라사이트 figures were ¡°encouraging¡± and ¡°show 바카라사이트 desire to study at university is as strong as ever¡±.

¡°Higher education is a fantastic long-term investment, and one of 바카라사이트 best routes to a rewarding career,¡± she said.

¡°The rise in applications shows potential students understand how 바카라사이트 new student finance system works. Students do not have to pay fees upfront, 바카라사이트re is more financial support for poorer families and loan repayments are lower once graduates are in well-paid work.¡±

jack.grove@tsleducation.com