Fall in numbers of students accepted on degree courses

FEWER students have been accepted on degree courses at UK universities this year, initial figures show.

In total, 411,860 students – from the UK and overseas – have taken up places, down 1% on the same point last year when 416,310 had been accepted. A breakdown shows 353,960 UK students have been accepted on undergraduate courses, down 2% on 2017.

But there is an increase in international students, with 26,400 EU applicants accepted to study at UK universities – up 1% on last year.

A record 31,510 students from nations outside the EU have taken up places –a 4% increase.

The figures are a snapshot taken by Ucas shortly after midnight.

There has been a growing debate in recent months about universities’ use of unconditional offers – places that do not require students to achieve certain A-level grades.

School leaders have raised concerns that these guaranteed places could mean sixth-formers lose their motivation during A-levels and take their foot off the pedal.

Data published by Ucas last month showed that almost 68,000 unconditional offers have been made to 18-year-olds in Wales, England and Northern Ireland this year, up from less than 3,000 five years ago.

The Ucas figures show that in Wales a record 26.3% of the 18-year-old population has been accepted on to courses, with a record 27.9% in England. In Northern Ireland, the entry rate is 28.1%, while in Scotland – where results were published last week – 25.9% of 18-year-olds have been accepted.

Clare Marchant, Ucas chief executive, said an increase in the proportion of youngsters from disadvantaged background was “excellent news”.

Some 16.1% of those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds have been accepted – up 0.4 percentage points.

The Ucas figures also give the first indications of how clearing is faring this year, and show that fewer students are free to enter the process compared with the same point last year.

Overall, 124,430 students who applied through the main application scheme are free to be placed in clearing, compared with 129,020 in 2017.

Liz Carlile, head of admissions at the University of Sheffield, said: “There are many offers out there and there’s never been a better year to be applying to university in terms of your chances of getting a place.”