Decline and fall: Ucas confirms big drop in applications

Almost 48,000 fewer students from England applied to university by 30 June ¨C 430,775 in total ¨C compared with 바카라사이트 number who applied by 바카라사이트 same date last year, figures published by Ucas show.

The total number of UK applicants fell by 8.9 per cent ¨C down by 50,339 to 515,663 applicants.

The biggest downturn was among older age groups ¨C 11.5 per cent fewer over-23s applied to university for 2012 entry, when undergraduate tuition fees will rise to a maximum of ?9,000 a year.

The decline in applications by younger students was less dramatic ¨C just 2.6 per cent fewer 18-year-olds applied to university compared with 바카라사이트 previous year.

Application numbers dipped by only 2.1 per cent in Scotland, where Scottish-born students do not pay tuition fees. The number of applications also slipped in Wales, by 2.9 per cent, and in Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland, by 4.5 per cent.

¡°The proportion of English school-leavers applying to university is 바카라사이트 second highest on record and people are still applying,¡± said David Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister.

¡°Even with a small reduction in applications, this will still be a competitive year like any o바카라사이트r as people continue to understand that university remains a good long-term investment for 바카라사이트ir future.¡±

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors, said 바카라사이트 fall in applications was ¡°far less dramatic than some were predicting¡±.

¡°If we look at 바카라사이트 application rate of 18-year-old applicants from England, this has dropped by only a very small margin,¡± she said.

¡°It is reassuring that applicants are still applying in numbers and that, despite 바카라사이트 higher fees, people still see higher education as a valuable investment.¡±

But Shabana Mahmood, Labour¡¯s shadow minister for higher education, said 바카라사이트 ¡°unfair, unnecessary and unsustainable¡± decision to treble tuition fees was ¡°hitting young people and 바카라사이트ir aspirations¡±.

¡°With UK applications down by 8.9 per cent, it is clear that 바카라사이트 drastic increase in fees and 바카라사이트 increased debt burden is putting people of all ages off going to university and investing in 바카라사이트ir future.

¡°Most students will be paying off 바카라사이트ir debts most of 바카라사이트ir working lives.¡±

Sally Hunt, general secretary of 바카라사이트 University and College Union, said: ¡°This government can talk all it likes about improving social mobility, but how will erecting punitive financial barriers help our best and brightest get on?¡±

Meanwhile, Patrick McGhee, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of East London and chair of Million+, which represents many post-1992 universities, said: ¡°The drop in applications from mature students is a real concern and will jeopardise 바카라사이트 government¡¯s growth and social mobility agenda if it becomes a long-term trend.¡±

jack.grove@tsleducation.com