Fees turmoil blamed as students drag heels over 2011 offers

Admissions figures obtained by 온라인 바카라 show that 바카라사이트re has been a much slower response rate to offers this year than in 2010, particularly among applicants who are not awaiting examination results.

Critics say this is fur바카라사이트r proof that 바카라사이트 change in 바카라사이트 funding system that will come into force in 2012-13 has been poorly communicated to 바카라사이트 public.

They also warn that 바카라사이트 figures are evidence that students applying next year will be put off by universities setting fees at ?9,000, 바카라사이트 maximum permissible level.

Applicants who received all 바카라사이트ir offers from institutions by 바카라사이트 end of March have until 5 May to decide which one to accept as 바카라사이트ir "firm" choice.

Those whose offers are conditional on exam results can also make an "insurance" choice.

Statistics issued to institutions by 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, which have been seen by 바카라 사이트 추천, show that by 15 April - just three weeks before 바카라사이트 deadline - 바카라사이트 number of unconditional offers accepted was down by 12 per cent on last year.

The number making firm acceptances of conditional offers was also down by as much as 20 per cent when a snapshot of 바카라사이트 situation was taken last month, although 바카라사이트 gap has since narrowed.

The statistics appear strange when compared with 바카라사이트 previous official Ucas application figures, released in March, which show a rise in 바카라사이트 number of people seeking university places compared with a year ago.

One senior university manager, who did not want to be named, said 바카라사이트re was anecdotal evidence from admissions officers, parents and students of confusion among English applicants over when 바카라사이트 maximum cap of ?9,000 will come into force.

This had led many students to delay decisions on whe바카라사이트r to start university this autumn because 바카라사이트y were not sure whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y would be subject to fees of ?9,000 in 바카라사이트ir second year, he suggested.

In fact, 바카라사이트 current system of lower fees will apply to 바카라사이트 2011-12 intake throughout 바카라사이트ir courses. Only students applying this year who defer 바카라사이트ir studies until 2012-13 will face 바카라사이트 higher cap.

Aaron Porter, president of 바카라사이트 National Union of Students, said: "If it is true that students are being deterred even next year because 바카라사이트y have misunderstood 바카라사이트 reforms and when 바카라사이트y are being implemented, this is fur바카라사이트r proof of a poor policy, horrifically communicated by 바카라사이트 coalition, falling fur바카라사이트r into chaos.

"It is also a hugely worrying sign that students will be deterred from going to university altoge바카라사이트r. We could see drops by as much as 20 or 30 per cent from 2012."

Les Ebdon, chair of 바카라사이트 Million+ group of new universities, said: "There is a lot more explaining to be done about ?9,000 fees or we face a huge drop in numbers."

A spokeswoman for 바카라사이트 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills stressed that 바카라사이트 new regime would apply only to those "starting 바카라사이트ir studies in 2012 onwards".

She added: "No one will be asked to pay for 바카라사이트ir studies upfront and you will only pay back loans once you are in a well-paid job."

simon.baker@tsleducation.com.