Data from UCAS shows that there has been a 4% decrease to the number of people applying to UK universities compared to last year.
The figures show that the number of people who applied to UK universities dropped more than 25,000, with a 19% decline to those applying to study nursing courses.
In addition, the number of EU students planning to study in the UK has fallen by 5%.
“I think the decrease in applications shows a sign of change”
According to the Times Higher Education, this is the first decline since 2012 when tuition fees were increased to £9,000.
The UCAS data even reveals a decrease in older applicants from England and Wales, with a 23% decrease of applicants over the age of 25.
Fatima Taha, a first-year Human Genetics student, told Impact: “I think the decrease in applications shows a sign of change. Many people are opting to apply for internships and apprenticeships then work straight after. I think it’s also due to economic problems since it’s quite expensive to study in the U.K. and the debt from after studying might not make it worth it”.
“the number of EU students planning to study in the UK has fallen by 5%”
There has, however, been a 2% increase from overseas applicants from outside the EU.
Dame Julia Goodfellow, president of Universities UK, does not think the drop is disastrous.
However, she does think that some issues need to be addressed, such as “the total cost of going to university” and the need to “communicate to European applicants that they are welcome”.
Sarah Lindgärde
Featured image courtesy of ‘Jirka Matousek’ via Flickr. License here.
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