A third of students from a disadvantaged background will be going to university in September, according to new data from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Overall, applications have surged across all categories, including international students – in Nigeria, for example, there has been a 58% increase in students seeking to study in the UK.
Third of disadvantaged students apply to university
Exceeding all previous records, the data shows that 28.8% of students from the UK’s most disadvantaged areas applied to university this year, rising from 27% in 2021 and over 10% more than a decade ago.
UCAS’s chief executive Clare Marchant stated: ‘It’s really encouraging to see students from disadvantaged backgrounds apply in record numbers, despite the disruption the pandemic has caused to young people’s education.
‘[Our] analysis shows that universities and colleges are continuing to support the progression of these students with targeted offer-making that we predict will see record numbers of disadvantaged students start university and college in the autumn.’
‘There will be plenty of choice’
Currently, the overall UK application rate is 44.1% – and many have raised concerns that this will increase competition for spaces. However, Marchant made efforts to reassure worried students, stating; ‘We believe that record numbers of students will get their firm choice this year on results days.’
She added: ‘Nearly 30,000 courses are now available in clearing across many courses and institutions. There will be plenty of choice available to students who are unplaced or use Clearing as an opportunity to rethink their plans.’
UCAS data also illustrates that the first cohort of students to study ‘T-levels’ have applied to university this year. Roughly equivalent to three A-levels, the qualification is two years of vocational study including a work placement. Nearly 500 T-level students have applied to study at university level this year.
The new minister for further and higher education, Andrea Jenkyns, said: ‘It is fantastic to see a record number of 18 year-olds from the most disadvantaged areas applying for university.
‘This year also marks a key milestone for T Levels and it is encouraging that so many students have applied for higher education.’