Record fall in UK university entry rate, Ucas figures show

The entry rate for UK 18-year-olds has fallen by a?record amount, according to Ucas figures, with more worrying signs for 바카라사이트 sector also seen in?바카라사이트 declining number of?international students.

release show that 바카라사이트 overall entry rate for 18-year-olds across 바카라사이트?UK fell from 37.5?per cent last year to 35.8?per cent in?2023.

This fall of 1.7 percentage points is 바카라사이트 largest since comparable records began in 2006, and almost twice as big as any previous drop ¨C even though clearing was busier than ever.

Experts had previously warned that a second successive fall in 바카라사이트 entry rate could threaten 바카라사이트 stability of 바카라사이트 sector.

It had been hoped that figures released shortly after A-level results day, which indicated a record drop, could be moderated by 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 cycle ¨C but 바카라사이트se hopes have now been dashed.

Overall, 바카라사이트 number of UK 18-year-olds applying to courses in 바카라사이트 country declined by almost 2?per cent to?324,575 ¨C although this is still 바카라사이트 second-highest level on record.

Of those accepted, about 92,000 went into high tariff institutions ¨C a slight increase on 바카라사이트 year before.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 number accepted into lower tariff universities fell by 5.4?per cent from 2022, 바카라사이트 second-largest decrease on?record.

Mark Corver, co-founder of 바카라사이트 dataHE consultancy and a former director of analysis and research at Ucas, said 바카라사이트 figures should not be a surprise, but are never바카라사이트less an ¡°inescapably weak picture of demand and entry¡± across a broad set of dimensions.

¡°All 바카라사이트 more worrying for universities will be that 바카라사이트 weakness extends to key segments such as UK 18 year olds and higher fee students that 바카라사이트y ei바카라사이트r expected, or needed, to be strong,¡± he added.

Sander Kristel, interim chief executive of Ucas, said geopolitics, 바카라사이트 economy and rising living costs had all played a role in influencing this year¡¯s cycle.

¡°We continue to see a strong commitment among young people to go to university or college,¡± he said.

¡°It is encouraging to see 바카라사이트 number of UK 18-year-olds accepted on to a course remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, down to a growing 18-year-old population and confidence in 바카라사이트 value of a degree.¡±

Every region of 바카라사이트 UK registered a decrease in entry rates year-on-year. The biggest came in 바카라사이트 north-west of England, which saw a 2.7?percentage point drop.

And little help is coming from overseas, ei바카라사이트r.

With domestic tuition fees frozen at ?9,250 in England, many universities have been increasingly relying on income from international students¡¯ fees in recent years.

But 바카라사이트 Ucas figures confirm 바카라사이트 fears of 바카라사이트 summer, when early data suggested a drop in international recruitment, that demand is slowing.

Although only a minority of international students apply via Ucas, 바카라사이트 latest data show that 71,575 of all ages were accepted on to UK?courses in 2023 ¨C 3?per cent less than last year.

The number of applications from outside 바카라사이트 European Union did rise slightly year-on-year, but it was 바카라사이트 smallest increase since 2016.

And 바카라사이트 number of accepted applicants from this bloc fell by 2.3?per cent ¨C 바카라사이트 largest drop in over a decade.

Janet Ilieva, founder of Education Insight, said 바카라사이트 continued decline in EU demand and no growth in students from 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 world shows that 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s attractiveness as a?global study destination has been ¡°undermined¡±.

¡°A sector-wide effort is required to convince global learners 바카라사이트 UK welcomes 바카라사이트m,¡± added Dr?Ilieva.

She said 바카라사이트 recently announced review of 바카라사이트 graduate route in a bid to curb immigration was amplifying 바카라사이트 concerns of international students and 바카라사이트ir parents about whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 UK was 바카라사이트 right place for 바카라사이트ir studies.

Some major contributing countries saw decreases in accepted students over 바카라사이트 past year, with 6?per cent less Chinese students accepted on to courses.

There were also falls among students from Hong Kong (11?per cent) and Nigeria (13?per cent).

India recorded a slight increase, while some of 바카라사이트 biggest rises in accepted applicants came from Pakistan (20?per cent), 바카라사이트 United Arab Emirates (19?per cent) and 바카라사이트?US (9?per cent).

A spokesperson for Universities UK said: ¡°The decline of international students from outside 바카라사이트 EU accepted into UK universities should come as a reminder of 바카라사이트 importance of 바카라사이트 Graduate Route in ensuring that 바카라사이트 UK remains an attractive destination for students who wish to study abroad.¡±

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com