Record numbers apply for place at university despite impact of virus

SCHOOL leavers have applied in record numbers to start university this autumn despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Admissions service Ucas says a record 40.5 per cent of all UK 18-year-olds have applied, despite fears over the impact of social distancing on college life.

By June 30, 81,980 school leavers were looking for places, a small rise from 75,5 0 last year despite a reduction in the population aged 18.

There had been concern that young people would be put off higher education this year after institutions moved towards a mix of online and face-toface classes. Some are considering making students live in a ‘bubble’ with people on the same courses to limit social mixing, while others are planning virtual freshers’ week events.

The data also reveals that a quarter ( 5.4 per cent) of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have applied to university or college. And the number of new nursing applicants between January and June was 63 per cent higher than the same period last year – leaping from 7,880 to 1 ,840.

Nick Hillman of the Higher Education Policy Institute said: ‘The appetite for higher education continues to grow – and it’s not surprising, given that the alternative options, like finding a secure job, will be worse this year.’

However, would-be students can ask to defer their studies at any point in the application cycle and if there is a second wave of Covid-19 or more local lockdowns in the months to come, then the number of actual enrolments may yet plummet.

Ucas chief executive Clare Marchant said the figures were ‘very encouraging’ but the situation was ‘fragile’.