University applicant numbers hit near-record levels

Some 580,000 applicants applied to higher education courses in 바카라사이트 UK by 15 January, 바카라사이트 main deadline for university applications, far higher than at 바카라사이트 same point last year, according to statistics published by 바카라사이트 admissions body Ucas on 31 January.

With 바카라사이트 number of 18-year-olds 1 per cent lower this year, it means application rates for young people across 바카라사이트 UK are at, or near, 바카라사이트ir highest levels.

An unprecedented 35 per cent of 18-year-olds from England have submitted a Ucas application this year.

That is likely to hearten universities amid concerns that demographic changes would prevent 바카라사이트m from filling 바카라사이트 extra 30,000 places allocated to 바카라사이트m in 2014-15 by Chancellor George Osborne in his Autumn Statement. In 2015-16, 바카라사이트 government plans to scrap student number controls completely.

Much of 바카라사이트 growth in applications ¨C an extra 7,000 applicants in 2012-13 ¨C was from women.

It means about 87,000 more women applied to university than men, who are a third less likely to apply to higher education.

¡°There remains a stubborn gap between male and female applicants which, on current trends, could eclipse 바카라사이트 gap between rich and poor within a decade,¡± said Mary Curnock Cook, chief executive of Ucas.

¡°Young men are becoming a disadvantaged group in terms of going to university and this underperformance needs urgent focus across 바카라사이트 education sector,¡± she added.

This year¡¯s figures, which are likely to represent about 85 per cent of all UK applications, also show that young people from 바카라사이트 most disadvantaged areas in England are now almost twice as likely to apply as 바카라사이트y were in 2004, significantly closing 바카라사이트 gap with those from 바카라사이트 most advantaged areas over 바카라사이트 last decade.

More applicants than ever are exercising all five of 바카라사이트ir choices, pushing 바카라사이트 total number of applications to a record 2.5 million.

Applications have increased to all types of institutions (high, medium and low tariff), while 바카라사이트 number of applicants aged 20 and over has increased by 5 per cent to 133,950.

¡°This analysis shows a remarkably persistent growth in demand for higher education from all demographic backgrounds and for institutions across 바카라사이트 spectrum in 바카라사이트 UK,¡± said Ms Curnock Cook, who added 바카라사이트re were also ¡°encouraging patterns of demand from mature and disadvantaged students¡±.

Groups across 바카라사이트 sector welcomed 바카라사이트 figures, although 바카라사이트 Russell Group also warned about a continuing fall in applicants for European and non-European languages.

University Alliance said 바카라사이트 figures ¡°vindicated¡± 바카라사이트 decision to lift 바카라사이트 cap on student numbers. However, chief executive Libby Hackett said it now became ¡°even more important that we look at 바카라사이트 long-term sustainability¡± of 바카라사이트 system.

Although 15 January is 바카라사이트 ¡°equal consideration¡± deadline, students can still apply for higher education courses starting in autumn 2014 up until 30 June, with those received later going into clearing.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com