31/05/2012

UK University Applications Down By 9%

The numbers of people applying to study for degrees in Britain has plummeted.

Demand is down by 9% compared to this time last year, figures from UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) revealed today.

By late May last year 550,147 UK students had applied for university, but this year that figure has dropped to 501,267.

The fall is thought to be related to the rise in fee prices, as the fall among English students – the hardest hit – is nearly five times as steep as that seen in Scottish students, for whom going to university is free.

Courses at many universities will cost as much as £9,000 a year from September, although the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland subsidise fees for their students.

Sally Hunt of the University and College Union, which represents lecturers, said: "It should come as little surprise that applications in England are hardest hit as a result of the government making it the most expensive country in the world in which to gain a public degree education."

The fall in demand was sharpest in arts courses. Media studies and film studies courses saw 14% drops, while courses such as engineering, which lead to traditionally well-paid careers, had marginal decreases in applications.

(NE)

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