Data released by UCAS shows that applications to UK arts and design courses has declined by five percent in the past year, meaning 14,270 less people applied to creative courses between 2016 and 2017.

This is the second lowest amount of applicants to creative courses in the past five years, only one percent higher than 2013. UCAS recorded a rise of 12,000 applicants between 2013 and 2014, but this year shows a significant drop-off.

The stats show creative courses have suffered marginally more than the general results across all courses, which reportedly had a four percent decline in applicants across all university courses in the UK. Applications from the EU has decreased by five percent, or nearly 50,000 people, while there has been a two percent increase in applicants from countries outside the EU, representing nearly 71,000 people.

UCAS director of analysis and research Mark Corver commented: “The total numbers of people applying are down 25,000 on last year, around four percent. Within the figures, there are contrasting trends. The decrease in applicants is driven by falls from England, Wales and the EU, but applicants from other overseas countries are up two percent. Within the UK, older applicants are down, but applicants from the key 18-year-old age group have increased again to 321,950, supported by a record application rate from young people in England of 37.9%.”