Significant increase in applications to university

UCAS has revealed that the number of UK applicants has increased by 15,000, whilst overall applications have risen by nearly 22,000 compared with this time last year, despite a falling number of 18 year-olds. Applications from UK students are still 20,000 lower than in 2011, before the numbers dipped. Overall applications are 8,500 fewer than at their peak in 2011. The largest increase was from students outside Europe, with a rise of 7%. The number of other EU students, who are entitled to student loans, was up by 5% to 43,600.

The government is funding 30,000 extra places for British and EU students this year before number controls are abolished altogether in 2015. However, many universities are reluctant to expand, with the Russell Group warning that “quality higher education should be prioritised over quantity”.