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05/01/2012
University Applicant Figures Show 'Late Surge'
The universities applications centre has reported a late surge in submissions from students amid speculation that total applicants are considerably down due to higher fees.
Commenting on its December end figures, UCAS said that although it remained too early in the cycle to make predictions about eventual demand for entry to higher education in 2012, there was evidence of a "late surge".
Speaking on Wednesday, UCAS Chief Executive Mary Curnock Cook said: "Evidence of a late surge as the 15 January deadline approaches is now emerging. Applicants are taking longer to research their choices but the applications flow has speeded up, as these statistics show.
"It remains too early to make predictions about the final year-on-year figures but we will be able to get a clearer picture after the deadline has passed."
However, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Higher Education, Shabana Mahmood, said it was clear that UCAS applications had continued to fall.
Ms Mahmood said the number of university applicants from the UK was down by over 23,000 compared to the same time last year, showing that the Coalition Government’s decision to treble tuition fees had led many students to "delay their university applications".
"It is unfair that many who have the ability to go to university are being put off applying because of the high levels of debt that they will face," Ms Mahmood said.
She added: “We are seeing a drop of more than 14% among applicants aged 25 and over, showing that the chaotic and unfair policy to treble tuition fees is putting off those who are already in the workforce in investing in their skills and developing their careers.
“It is concerning that applications for subjects which are crucial for a sustainable, diverse and competitive economic future such as Technology, Architecture and Modern Languages have seen a greater fall of almost 20 per cent in applications, while other key subjects such as Computer Science and Biological Sciences also seeing a worrying drop in applications."
(DW/GK)
Commenting on its December end figures, UCAS said that although it remained too early in the cycle to make predictions about eventual demand for entry to higher education in 2012, there was evidence of a "late surge".
Speaking on Wednesday, UCAS Chief Executive Mary Curnock Cook said: "Evidence of a late surge as the 15 January deadline approaches is now emerging. Applicants are taking longer to research their choices but the applications flow has speeded up, as these statistics show.
"It remains too early to make predictions about the final year-on-year figures but we will be able to get a clearer picture after the deadline has passed."
However, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Higher Education, Shabana Mahmood, said it was clear that UCAS applications had continued to fall.
Ms Mahmood said the number of university applicants from the UK was down by over 23,000 compared to the same time last year, showing that the Coalition Government’s decision to treble tuition fees had led many students to "delay their university applications".
"It is unfair that many who have the ability to go to university are being put off applying because of the high levels of debt that they will face," Ms Mahmood said.
She added: “We are seeing a drop of more than 14% among applicants aged 25 and over, showing that the chaotic and unfair policy to treble tuition fees is putting off those who are already in the workforce in investing in their skills and developing their careers.
“It is concerning that applications for subjects which are crucial for a sustainable, diverse and competitive economic future such as Technology, Architecture and Modern Languages have seen a greater fall of almost 20 per cent in applications, while other key subjects such as Computer Science and Biological Sciences also seeing a worrying drop in applications."
(DW/GK)
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