UCAS: Universities braced for drop in student applications Universities leaders are braced for a drop in the number of applicants as the higher education sector continues to be […]

Universities leaders are braced for a drop in the number of applicants as the higher education sector continues to be buffeted by shifting demographics and the impact of the Brexit vote.

Students had until 6pm yesterday to submit their UCAS application forms to secure a place at university in time for the start of the 2018/19 academic year.

But institutions were concerned as early indications suggested submissions ahead of the deadline were down on last year, with some estimations showing that student recruitment was down by as much as 5 per cent.

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Last minute applications

According to sources, the fall in applications is down to a range of factors, including a decrease in the number of 18 year olds in the UK. While a baby boom is currently working its way through the secondary system – having caused havoc to school places at primary level – it has yet to reach the HE sector.

Experts have also highlighted that the Brexit decision in 2016 continues to be felt by universities. The number of EU students applying to study in the UK continues to fall despite the Government committing to fund places starting in September for the duration of the degree.

Changes to funding to courses such as nursing has also had an impact to certain institutions as the number of nursing applications has significantly fallen away have also been blamed.

Universities are pinning hopes on students leaving it to the last minute before submitting their UCAS forms to gain an offer from institutions.

According to one source, bigger universities with large numbers of courses are likely to suffer most from the shortfall in applicants.

Another HE source admitted they were witnessing a “decline” in the number of applications.

The sector’s leading intelligence service, the WonkHE website, stated that as of the end of last week some universities were seeing drops of more than 20 per cent on last year.

Such falls in students would leave institutions with a severe shortfall in funding, as universities rely on students’ tuition fees.

The decrease in applications reveals a trend following a fall of 4 per cent in students applying to university last year. The proportion of students from EU member states had fallen by 5 per cent, official figures revealed.

Greater clarity

In response to a UCAS report on student numbers in November, the Russell Group called for the Government to give more certainty to EU applicants.

“If it turns out that the fall in places this year is due to the continuing uncertainty posed by Brexit, it reinforces our call for Government to provide greater clarity for EU students coming to the UK,” Russell Group Head of Policy Sarah Stevens said.

“In particular, they should confirm at the earliest opportunity the fee rate and other financial support EU undergraduates and postgraduates might be eligible for from 2019/20 onwards as well as arrangements to stay for further study or work after graduation.”