Large drop in early university applications

By Simon Baker. The number of people applying to universities in the UK as part of the main applications cycle has fallen by 14 per cent compared with last year, new figures show. According to the latest statistics from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, there were 8.4 per cent fewer applicants to UK institutions at 19 November this year compared with the same point last year.
However, these figures include those who must apply to university by October each year - such as applicants to Oxbridge and medical schools - which have remained relatively steady year-on-year. When these statistics are taken out of the figures, the number of applicants to other universities and courses has fallen by 14,513 or 14.1 per cent. More...