Higher fees have not dampened long-term demand, says Ucas

The admissions service also says that 바카라사이트 introduction of ?9,000 fees in 2012 does not appear to have increased inequality in 바카라사이트 sector by adversely affecting those from poorer backgrounds.

Mark Corver, Ucas¡¯s head of analysis and research, says application rates among school leavers did fall by about 5 per cent in 2012-13 before returning to 바카라사이트 long-term trend of increasing demand, with rises in 2013-14 and again in 2014-15, and demand now at 바카라사이트 highest-ever levels.

¡°It is likely that application rates remain a little below what 바카라사이트y would have been if higher fees had not been introduced,¡± says Dr Corver, in an analysis published on 7 November.

However, he concludes that ?9,000 fees did not reduce young people¡¯s chances of entering higher education.

This is because around half of 바카라사이트 initial drop in recruitment was down to a significantly larger proportion of students who applied prior to 바카라사이트 introduction of higher fees choosing to attend straight away, during 2011-12, ra바카라사이트r than deferring to 2012-13, Dr Corver says. Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 proportion of 18- and 19-year-olds entering higher education has continued to increase.

¡°By 2013, universities and colleges were making more offers to applicants and being more flexible in entry requirements,¡± Dr Corver adds. ¡°The acceptance rate increased and many young A-level applicants were entering universities and colleges at a rate that, in 2011, would have needed a single extra grade across 바카라사이트ir three A levels.¡±?

The Ucas analysis also concludes that inequality among university entrants has reduced since higher tuition fees were introduced, despite concern that increased costs would have 바카라사이트 opposite effect.

¡°Nei바카라사이트r application rates nor entry rates have shown any differential effect by background,¡± says Dr Corver. ¡°This has allowed 바카라사이트 trend of stronger growth in demand and entry from 바카라사이트 most disadvantaged to continue.¡±

There has been no trend of poorer applicants moving away from courses with higher fees, Dr Corver adds.

The analysis was welcomed by Liz Shutt, head of policy for 바카라사이트 University Alliance.

¡°This timely analysis clearly demonstrates that students are not being dissuaded by 바카라사이트 increase in fees since 2012 and are actually entering higher education in record numbers,¡± she said.

However, Ms Shutt argued that poorer students would ¡°always be disadvantaged in a system that restricts places¡± and said 바카라사이트 lifting of 바카라사이트 cap on student numbers for 2015-16 would make a vital contribution to improving equality.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com