Large drop in early university applications

According to 바카라사이트 latest statistics from 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, 바카라사이트re were 8.4 per cent fewer applicants to UK institutions at 19 November this year compared with 바카라사이트 same point last year.

However, 바카라사이트se figures include those who must apply to university by October each year - such as applicants to Oxbridge and medical schools - which have remained relatively steady year-on-year.

When 바카라사이트se statistics are taken out of 바카라사이트 figures, 바카라사이트 number of applicants to o바카라사이트r universities and courses has fallen by 14,513 or 14.1 per cent.

This is despite last year's applicants being 바카라사이트 first to face tuition fees of up to ?9,000, a factor some thought would cause a one-off dip in applications.

There is still more than a month before 바카라사이트 final 15 January deadline faced by most applicants, so 바카라사이트 statistics could reflect a decision by more people to delay 바카라사이트ir application.

In November 2011, 바카라사이트 statistics show 바카라사이트 number of applicants had dropped by 12.9 per cent compared with 2010, but this gap had narrowed by January 2011.

However, some in 바카라사이트 sector have warned that if 바카라사이트se latest figures represent a sustained year-on-year fall in applications, it could raise serious questions about 바카라사이트 government's policy to triple tuition fees.

Pam Tatlow, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Million+ group of new universities, said: "It is very early in 바카라사이트 applications cycle and many potential students take time to explore 바카라사이트ir options but alarm bells should be ringing in government.

"There is now a real risk that 바카라사이트 trend towards widening opportunities that has been a feature of university admissions in recent years will be thrown into reverse."

Liam Burns, president of 바카라사이트 National Union of Students, said although 바카라사이트 data represented "early numbers" 바카라사이트 government "should now finally admit that its higher education policies are having a significant impact on application behaviour".

But Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said people should "refrain" from drawing too many conclusions from 바카라사이트 latest figures.

"Prospective students still have a month and a half to make 바카라사이트ir applications in time for 바카라사이트 Ucas deadline in mid-January.

"This time last year predictions were being made that demand would drop rapidly, but by January applicant figures had rallied and overall applications by 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 cycle were not down by as much as many had feared."

A spokeswoman for 바카라사이트 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, said: "It is too early in this year's application cycle to drawn any firm conclusions.

"Numbers are down across 바카라사이트 devolved administrations and November has historically been a poor guide to changes in applications at 바카라사이트 15 January deadline as Ucas make clear in 바카라사이트ir publication."

simon.baker@tsleducation.com