Data just released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for the January 2023 Equal Consideration Deadline, indicates that a total of 314,660 UK 18-year-olds have applied for courses. This is a very slight drop (-1.8%) on last year’s figure of 320,420. However, it is up +14.3% up on the January 2020 pre-pandemic figure of 275,300.
Application rates for UK 18-year-olds were 41.5% in 2023, 43.4% in 2022, and 39.5% in 2020.
All UCAS applicants totalled 596,590 in 2023. This was -2.3% down from 610,720 in 2022, but +5% higher than 2020’s 568,330.
Growth courses were Computing (+9.6%) and Law (+2.1%). However, shrinking courses were Nursing and Teacher Training, with drops of -18.6% and -15.6% respectively.
The number of applications from UK disadvantaged areas was the second highest ever at 36,470, (up +19.1% on 2020).
There was a significant drop in UK mature applicants (-14%), mainly due to a decrease in demand for Nursing.
Re-applications (all ages) increased by +3.9%, with the majority being resubmissions by 19-year-olds. And the total number of 19-year-olds applying rose to +0.8, showing a desire for undergraduate education.
Pleasingly, International student applications saw a growth of +3.1% (all ages), mainly from Nigeria (+23.1%), India (+5.4%) and the USA (+9.8%). However, there was a noticeable drop in Chinese applicants (-4.2%), due to their homeland’s Covid-19 restrictions.
Clare Marchant (UCAS Chief Executive) observed that this was ‘another complex cycle with a myriad of global and national factors impacting demand, all within the context of an increasing demographic and high employment rates’.
At Education Advisers, we can assist with your pathway to university. We have a multitude of resources on our University Advice website, including our "The Journey to Oxbridge" webinar.
Steven, our university consultant with 35+ years of senior leadership and educational experience, leads our University Advice Service and can provide comprehensive bespoke advice, or one-off university services as required.
As always, please feel free to email steven@educationadvisers.co.uk or call +44(0)1622 813870. We'd be delighted to hear from you and see how we can help.
Reference:
UCAS website, https://www.ucas.com/corporate/news-and-key-documents/news/second-highest-ever-number-uk-18-year-olds-apply-university-or-college-january-deadline, posted 9th February 2023