University applications tumble 8.7%

The number of university applications from UK-based students has fallen by 8.7 per cent compared with last year, according to official figures.

Admissions body Ucas said that it had received 462,507 forms as of 15 January, down from 506,388 in 2011.

In England, where annual tuition fees will rise to up to £9,000 this year, applications had dropped by 9.9 per cent. They also declined by 4.4 per cent in Northern Ireland, 1.9 per cent in Wales and 1.1 per cent in Scotland.

Applications from other EU countries fell by 11.2 per cent to 36,205 but those from outside the EU rose by 13.7 per cent to 41,361.

The number of applications from men dropped by 8.5 per cent to 230,342, while the number from women declined by 6.7 per cent to hit 309,731.

Applications from 18-year-olds, traditionally the largest age group, fell 2.6 per cent to 252,214. Applications from people aged 25 to 29, 30 to 39 and 40-plus fell by 11.8 per cent, 9.9 per cent and 10.5 per cent respectively.

Total applications were down by 7.4 per cent.

Commenting on the figures Ucas chief executive, Mary Curnock Cook, said that despite the decline, widely expressed concerns about changes in higher education (HE) funding having a disproportionate effect on disadvantaged groups had "not been borne out by these data".

"Our analysis shows that decreases in demand are slightly larger in more advantaged groups than in the disadvantaged groups," she added.

"However, I remain concerned about the wide and increasing gap between the application rate of men compared to women.

"The indications are that demand for will continue to outstrip the number of places available in 2012. Applications are already 50,000 ahead of the number of acceptances in 2011 and last year Ucas received over 100,000 further applications between January and the close of the cycle."

Jon Richards, head of education at public service union Unison, described the figures as "disappointing, but hardly surprising".

"Many students, especially mature students, are being put off by higher fees and the heavy debt they will face when they graduate," he added.

However, universities and science minister David Willetts said, "The proportion of English school leavers applying to university today is greater than ever before, barring last year.

"Even with a small reduction in applications, this will still be a competitive year like any other as people to continue to understand that university remains a good long-term investment in your future."

Although 15 January represents the "equal consideration" deadline, Ucas still sends applications to universities up to 30 June. Those received after this date go into Clearing.