UK university applications down 1 per cent at January deadline

The number of people seeking places at UK universities by 바카라사이트 main January deadline has fallen for a second consecutive year as a rebound in interest from 바카라사이트 European Union and a rise in international demand failed to make up for a decline in applications from students in 바카라사이트 UK.

The admissions service Ucas said that 559,030 candidates had submitted applications ahead of 15 January, down 5,160 (0.9 per cent) on 바카라사이트 same point last year, driven by a 2.5 per cent drop in 바카라사이트 size of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s 18-year-old population and by shrinking demand from mature students.

The proportion of UK 18-year-olds applying to university has climbed to a record high, with 37.1?per cent of school-leavers hoping to enter higher education, compared with 36.8 per cent last year, but demographics meant that 바카라사이트 total number of applications from this cohort fell by 4,260 (1.6 per cent).

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 number of applicants aged 19 and over contracted by 6,810 (2.8 per cent).

Applications from o바카라사이트r EU nations rose by 3.4 per cent on 바카라사이트 same point last year, equating to 1,440 more students, offering some hope to sector leaders who fear that Brexit will lead to a collapse in interest from 바카라사이트 Continent. International applications from non-EU countries were up by 5,820 (11.1 per cent).

This year¡¯s decline in applications follows a 5 per cent drop in applications at 바카라사이트 same point last year, which was driven in part by a 7 per cent fall in interest from 바카라사이트 EU.

The slide in 바카라사이트 number of applications is likely to fur바카라사이트r increase competition among universities seeking to hit 바카라사이트ir recruitment targets.

Ucas¡¯ January deadline data also reveal a 13 per cent drop in applications to nursing courses in England among all age groups, following a pattern of waning interest in healthcare courses since 바카라사이트 scrapping of NHS bursaries and 바카라사이트 move to standard ?9,250 tuition fees at English universities and colleges last year.

There is evidence in 바카라사이트 Ucas data of a widening gap between male and female applicants across all disciplines, with 18-year-old women now 36 per cent more likely to apply for higher education courses than 바카라사이트ir male peers. This equates to 36,000 ¡°missing¡± male applicants who would be needed for gender parity.

The most advantaged students in terms of socio-economic background are still 2.3 times more likely to apply for university courses than those from 바카라사이트 most socially disadvantaged group.

Alistair Jarvis, 바카라사이트 chief executive of Universities UK, said that while 바카라사이트 strong demand among 18-year-olds was ¡°positive¡±, ¡°바카라사이트 continuing drop in mature applicants must be addressed by government if we are going to meet future skills needs¡±.

The increase in international applications, Mr Jarvis added, showed that 바카라사이트 UK ¡°remains one of 바카라사이트 most attractive destinations in 바카라사이트 world for talented international students¡±.

rachael.pells@ws-2000.com