The UK’s undergraduate sector has seen solid growth in international applicants as latest UCAS figures show there are now 46,040 EU applicants – up by 2% from 2017 – made by the 24 March deadline. Applicants from other overseas countries have increased by 8% to 65,440, the highest on record.
According to the UCAS analysis, the overall number of people who have applied to UK higher education courses for 2018 has now reached 590,270.
The figures show “the desirability of UK higher education to students from around the world”
However, the overall number of people who have applied to UK higher education courses for 2018 has dropped by around 11,000.
The UCAS analysis also revealed there are currently 230,320 English 18-year-old applicants to higher education, reflecting a 2.3% fall in the number of 18-year-olds in the population.
There are 43,700 applicants to nursing courses, a 10% drop for the same period in 2017. Among these, 31,750 applicants are English, 14% lower than at this point in 2017.
Chief executive of UCAS Clare Marchant said the figures show the enduring attraction of a full-time degree for young people, and “the desirability of UK higher education to students from around the world”.
“Whilst this is undoubtedly good news, we must not overlook the continuing fall in applications from older UK students, particularly to study nursing,” said Marchant.
“It’s also important to remember that most universities and colleges are still keen to receive applications, and students can still make applications via UCAS until 30 June, when Clearing begins.
UCAS will publish a comprehensive picture of the full 2018 admissions cycle in December 2018.
