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University entrants: Record 500,000 started courses in 2014 | University entrants: Record 500,000 started courses in 2014 |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The number of UK university entrants passed 500,000 for the first time in 2014, with women still more likely to enter higher education than men, Ucas admissions service figures show. | |
Among 18-year-olds, 34% of women were allocated university places, compared with 26% of men. | Among 18-year-olds, 34% of women were allocated university places, compared with 26% of men. |
The gap is more than 50% in a quarter of parliamentary constituencies. | The gap is more than 50% in a quarter of parliamentary constituencies. |
The admissions figures also suggest more students with lower grades are getting places at top universities. | The admissions figures also suggest more students with lower grades are getting places at top universities. |
About a third of applicants getting BBB grades got places in "higher tariff" universities, about twice as many as in 2011. | About a third of applicants getting BBB grades got places in "higher tariff" universities, about twice as many as in 2011. |
There was also an increase in universities making unconditional offers to applicants they most want to recruit. | There was also an increase in universities making unconditional offers to applicants they most want to recruit. |
Wide variations | Wide variations |
This year's university admissions figures show a rising tide of more applications, more offers and more accepted places. | This year's university admissions figures show a rising tide of more applications, more offers and more accepted places. |
Some 512,400 people secured places in UK universities and colleges through Ucas applications in 2014, up nearly 17,000. The number of UK students rose 3% to 447,500, and there was a record number of students from outside the UK. | Some 512,400 people secured places in UK universities and colleges through Ucas applications in 2014, up nearly 17,000. The number of UK students rose 3% to 447,500, and there was a record number of students from outside the UK. |
But there were wide variations among the UK entrants. | But there were wide variations among the UK entrants. |
The Ucas figures suggest women are much more likely to enter university than men. This applies to both rich and poor families and across almost all regions. | The Ucas figures suggest women are much more likely to enter university than men. This applies to both rich and poor families and across almost all regions. |
According to Ucas, two decades ago there was no gender gap, but this has now become one of the most distinctive features of applications. | According to Ucas, two decades ago there was no gender gap, but this has now become one of the most distinctive features of applications. |
Among 18-year-olds, the numbers of women going to university is continuing to rise more quickly than their male counterparts. | Among 18-year-olds, the numbers of women going to university is continuing to rise more quickly than their male counterparts. |
In some constituencies the male entry rates are even lower. In Bristol South only 11% of 18-year-old men go on to university. | In some constituencies the male entry rates are even lower. In Bristol South only 11% of 18-year-old men go on to university. |
In contrast there are constituencies where more than half of female school leavers go straight to university. | In contrast there are constituencies where more than half of female school leavers go straight to university. |
Ucas says the gender gap in entry rates is the equivalent of 32,000 "missing" male students. | Ucas says the gender gap in entry rates is the equivalent of 32,000 "missing" male students. |
Regional differences | Regional differences |
While the gap between male and female is at its widest ever, the gap between rich and poor is at its lowest. | While the gap between male and female is at its widest ever, the gap between rich and poor is at its lowest. |
Record numbers of disadvantaged students are getting places in higher education, rising by 11% compared with last year. | Record numbers of disadvantaged students are getting places in higher education, rising by 11% compared with last year. |
These students were particularly likely to enter with BTEC qualifications, rather than A-levels. | These students were particularly likely to enter with BTEC qualifications, rather than A-levels. |
But regional differences remain across the UK. Young people in London and Northern Ireland are the most likely to enter university - those in Wales and the South West of England have the lowest entry rates. | But regional differences remain across the UK. Young people in London and Northern Ireland are the most likely to enter university - those in Wales and the South West of England have the lowest entry rates. |
There are even lower figures for Scotland, but these are incomplete because Ucas does not cover admissions for all Scottish higher education. | There are even lower figures for Scotland, but these are incomplete because Ucas does not cover admissions for all Scottish higher education. |
There are even wider local differences - with some places having average entry rates below 15% while others are above 50%. | There are even wider local differences - with some places having average entry rates below 15% while others are above 50%. |
Buyers' market | Buyers' market |
The admissions figures also show the growing competition between universities to attract students. | The admissions figures also show the growing competition between universities to attract students. |
Universities are making more offers than ever before, 1.8 million this year, with students with high predicted grades getting four or five offers. | Universities are making more offers than ever before, 1.8 million this year, with students with high predicted grades getting four or five offers. |
Students without A or A* grades at A-level were more likely this year to have got into a selective "higher tariff" university. For students with three B grades, 35% got places into a top-tier university, compared with 32% last year and 17% in 2011. | Students without A or A* grades at A-level were more likely this year to have got into a selective "higher tariff" university. For students with three B grades, 35% got places into a top-tier university, compared with 32% last year and 17% in 2011. |
Among students with BBC grades, 15% got places at higher tariff universities, compared with 6% in 2011. | Among students with BBC grades, 15% got places at higher tariff universities, compared with 6% in 2011. |
For applicants with DDE grades, 12% got into "medium tariff" universities and 58% found a place at a "lower tariff" university. | For applicants with DDE grades, 12% got into "medium tariff" universities and 58% found a place at a "lower tariff" university. |
Across all types of university, the Ucas figures show that 85% of 18-year-old applicants from England were accepted for a place somewhere. | Across all types of university, the Ucas figures show that 85% of 18-year-old applicants from England were accepted for a place somewhere. |
Mary Curnock Cook, Ucas chief executive, said the increase in university entrance by disadvantaged students was a "stunning account of social change". | Mary Curnock Cook, Ucas chief executive, said the increase in university entrance by disadvantaged students was a "stunning account of social change". |
"These trends are pushing the difference in entry rates between rich and poor to historic lows," she said. | "These trends are pushing the difference in entry rates between rich and poor to historic lows," she said. |
Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said the rising number of applications represented the end of the volatility that followed the increase in tuition fees. | Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said the rising number of applications represented the end of the volatility that followed the increase in tuition fees. |
"It suggests a return to stability in university applications following the changes and dip in 2012," she said. | "It suggests a return to stability in university applications following the changes and dip in 2012," she said. |
Universities Minister Greg Clark said: "For the first time ever over half a million students have entered higher education, with entry rates for students from disadvantaged backgrounds increasing by over 10% to its highest ever levels across the UK. | Universities Minister Greg Clark said: "For the first time ever over half a million students have entered higher education, with entry rates for students from disadvantaged backgrounds increasing by over 10% to its highest ever levels across the UK. |
"Higher education is a transformational experience and that is why we are the first government to remove the limit on student numbers lifting the cap on aspiration." | "Higher education is a transformational experience and that is why we are the first government to remove the limit on student numbers lifting the cap on aspiration." |