Record numbers accepted into UK higher education
Record numbers of students were accepted into the UK’s universities last autumn, according to new figures released by admissions service UCAS.
Its 2013 “End of Cycle” report, seen by luxury student accommodation provider Portergate, which operates Riverside House in Salford, paints a picture of increased recruitment, following a dip in 2012.
Some 495,596 students were accepted to full time undergraduate courses, 6.6 per cent up, and the highest total ever recorded.
The report also reveals that young people across the UK are more likely to enter higher education than at any time before.
Almost all 18-year-old A Level applicants got offers in 2013. Institutions made a record number of offers so that over half of applicants received four or more offers and almost a third had five offers to choose from.
And more students were placed at their first choice of course, including a 20 per cent rise in the number using the Clearing process as their first application route.
Mary Curnock Cook, UCAS Chief Executive, commented on the report: “Predictions of a reduced appetite for higher education following the rise in tuition fees were premature.
“With 19-year-old admissions up by 18 per cent in England, we can see that the dip in demand in 2012 was perhaps a pause for thought – more of those who were 18 in 2012 have now started university than those who were 18 in either 2010 or 2011.
“Greater competition amongst institutions meant that aspiring students were able to choose from a record number of offers and were more likely than ever to gain a place on their preferred course, including through.
“Clearing which was a genuine market place for all types of courses and institutions this year.
“The higher education sector has been particularly successful in attracting and enrolling applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds in 2013 and I welcome this further reduction in the gap between rich and poor.”
Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK – the body which represents vice-chancellors, commented on the report in the Independent newspaper xenical orlistat 120mg. She said: “It is excellent to see that 2013 has seen the highest ever number of students accepted into higher education following the dip in demand in 2012.
“This year there was not only a 6.6 per cent increase on 2012 but also a 0.7 per cent increase on 2011.”
