Record number of students due to start degree courses

UNIVERSITIES

A RECORD number of students are set to start degree courses in the UK this autumn despite fears about significant deferrals amid the coronavirus pandemic, figures suggest.

Overall, a total of 515,650 people, both from the UK and overseas, have confirmed places – up four per cent on the same point last year, according to data published by the university admissions service.

The number of overseas students, from outside the EU, due to take up places has risen by nine per cent to 44,300 despite concerns that travel restrictions would deter international students from studying in the UK.

But the number of EU students accepted has fallen by two per cent, with 29,630 confirmed, Ucas figures show. A record 28,030 school leavers from the most disadvantaged backgrounds across the UK have also been accepted into university – up eight per cent on the equivalent point last year, according to the analysis.

This means 22.5 per cent of all young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds are due to start a degree – a new high for four weeks after results day, the university admissions service said.

The report shows the number of students accepted on fulltime undergraduate courses as of September 10. In recent years, around 95 per cent of students have been placed by this point in the process.

It comes after the Government called on universities to prioritise students from disadvantaged backgrounds for admission “where possible” following the U- turn on A- level grades. Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, said: “It was always clear that domestic demand would be up, despite the reduction in 18- year olds, because the alternatives to more education are so poor this year.”