University applications up 3.6%
Applications to university have risen by 3.6% this year following a fall in 2002, according to the latest figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
UCAS found that applications from under 21-year-olds in England have risen by 1.5% and from Welsh students by 1.1%. Applications by Scottish students under 21, who do not have to pay up front tuition fees, increased by 2.9%.
Today’s figures follow the announcement that the Welsh Assembly would be taking responsibility for student funding, which could leave England as the only place to charge up front tuition fees.
UCAS’ figures show that the number of overseas students applying to UK universities increased by 10.9%. The most significant rises were from Nigeria, up by 71.4%, China up by 36.2% and the Irish Republic up by 21.5%.
Anthony McClaran, UCAS Acting Chief Executive commented, “The increases in overseas applications are very encouraging. Despite significant competition from elsewhere, UK higher education, with its great diversity of courses and universities and colleges, continues to attract international applicants in ever greater numbers.”
Applications to degree courses increased by 4.5%, with the most notable increases being seen in applications to medical technology, up by 45.1%, social work, up by 43.6%, pre-clinical medicine, up by 23%, and nursing, up by 16.6%.
Applications to degree courses on information systems, computer science, and software engineering, fell by 13.6%, 12% and 11.2% respectively.
