Fewer students accepted on to university courses

Number of people taking up places down 2% on 2016

Fewer students have been accepted on to degree courses so far this year, early figures show.

In total, 416,310 people have taken up places, down 2% compared with the same point last year.

The fall comes in the wake of an overall drop in applications to start courses at UK universities this autumn.

The fall means that many options are still available for students hoping to start degree courses this autumn with the majority of universities entering clearing in a bid to recruit good candidates.

There have been reports that a number of universities are lowering their entry requirements to attract students.

Clearing is the annual process that matches students without places, for example those that did not meet their required grades, with available courses.

A Press Association survey showed that as of yesterday afternoon, there were more than 27,000 courses listed on the Ucas clearing website.

The survey, based on 148 UK universities and colleges, shows that around nine in 10 institutions (134) are advertising at least one course.

Among the 24 Russell Group institutions alone, those universities considered among the best in the country, over two-thirds (18) had at least one course listed on the Ucas site, with more than 4,700 courses potentially having places on offer.

Last year, almost 65,000 applicants found places through clearing, while almost 900 were placed through “adjustment”, a scheme that allows applicants that do better than expected in their A-levels to trade up to another course or institution. Ucas’ first figures showed yesterday: The number of UK 18-year-olds gaining a place is 201,270, a similar level to last year.

A total of 26,090 EU students have been placed, a fall of 3% compared with last year, but still the second-highest recorded.

The number of international students accepted has increased by 4% to 30,350.

Record numbers of UK 18-year-olds from the poorest backgrounds have been accepted on to courses – 21,470, in total. However, the most advantaged teenagers are still almost two-and-a-half times more likely to win places.

Ucas chief executive Clare Marchant said: “The overall numbers of students being accepted on to courses is lower, but it is a complicated picture.

“We are seeing a growing proportion of 18-year-olds going into higher education, and greater numbers of students from our most deprived communities are securing places.

“At the same time, we are seeing fewer older students taking places, and a fall in numbers from the EU.”

Professor Les Ebdon, director of Fair Access to Higher Education, applauded the efforts of disadvantaged students, saying they have “overcome barriers that many others do not face”.

He said: “All children deserve to get the support they need to overcome any and all barriers of circumstance, so that each can achieve to the level that they deserve. Universities and colleges have a key role to play in working with schools to provide support.”