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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| More apply to UK's universities | More apply to UK's universities |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Some 26,517 more people applied for university courses in the UK this year than in 2007, a rise of 6.7%. | Some 26,517 more people applied for university courses in the UK this year than in 2007, a rise of 6.7%. |
| Admissions service Ucas said a total of 421,824 people had applied for a full-time undergraduate course by the main deadline of 15 January. | Admissions service Ucas said a total of 421,824 people had applied for a full-time undergraduate course by the main deadline of 15 January. |
| There were another 8,665 who previously would have applied separately for nursing and midwifery diploma courses. | There were another 8,665 who previously would have applied separately for nursing and midwifery diploma courses. |
| A breakdown of social backgrounds shows only a slight change on 2007: 29.6% from lower groups compared with 28.9%. | A breakdown of social backgrounds shows only a slight change on 2007: 29.6% from lower groups compared with 28.9%. |
| But the fact that midwifery applicants were included for the first time may have had an impact on these figures, Ucas said. | |
| Overall not only have far more women applied than men, as usual - 244,167 compared with 186,322 - but the percentage increase in female applications is also greater: 10.2% against 7.2%. | Overall not only have far more women applied than men, as usual - 244,167 compared with 186,322 - but the percentage increase in female applications is also greater: 10.2% against 7.2%. |
| The biggest percentage change (18.2%) was in applicants aged over 25. | The biggest percentage change (18.2%) was in applicants aged over 25. |
| Overseas class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAY Cost is a good thing, it encourages students to apply for useful courses Jacques, Reading class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4292&edition=1&ttl=20080214122941">Send us your comments | |
| Among the home nations, Wales stood out by having a 10.7% fall in the number of applicants. | Among the home nations, Wales stood out by having a 10.7% fall in the number of applicants. |
| The biggest percentage change among overseas applicants was in Bulgaria, up from 400 to 845 (more than 111%). | The biggest percentage change among overseas applicants was in Bulgaria, up from 400 to 845 (more than 111%). |
| Ucas chief executive Anthony McClaran said: "These figures show that for the second year running we are seeing strong growth in the level of applications for undergraduate courses. | |
| "These figures provide an encouraging indication for the likely position in the summer and, of course, there will still be thousands more applications between now and then." | |
| Shadow innovation, universities and skills secretary David Willetts said: "These figures show a continuing increase in the overall number of university applications. But there is one important group that remain at the bottom of the heap: working-class men. | Shadow innovation, universities and skills secretary David Willetts said: "These figures show a continuing increase in the overall number of university applications. But there is one important group that remain at the bottom of the heap: working-class men. |
| "We are seeing rapid growth in the number of female students, international students and older students. | "We are seeing rapid growth in the number of female students, international students and older students. |
| "It is great to see such a diverse mix of people at our universities. But young working-class males are being left behind." | "It is great to see such a diverse mix of people at our universities. But young working-class males are being left behind." |
| Liberal Democrat spokesman Stephen Williams said: "With over half of applicants having parents in professional occupations, social mobility has clearly stagnated. | Liberal Democrat spokesman Stephen Williams said: "With over half of applicants having parents in professional occupations, social mobility has clearly stagnated. |
| "University might not be right for everyone, but the decision to apply should be down to individual students and not pre-determined by their parental background." | "University might not be right for everyone, but the decision to apply should be down to individual students and not pre-determined by their parental background." |
| Mr Williams called for a comprehensive study of the demographic make-up of applicants ahead of the government's higher education funding review next year. | Mr Williams called for a comprehensive study of the demographic make-up of applicants ahead of the government's higher education funding review next year. |