5
DEMAND FOR UNIVERSITY
PLACES
UCAS have recently released interim
application figures for the 2013/14 academic
year as of 15th January 2013. According
to UCAS there has been a 3.49% increase
in applicants for university courses
commencing in 2013. Applications have
increased by 3.5% to institutions in England,
7.3% in Wales, 6.9% in Northern Ireland and
7.1% for institutions in Scotland.
From 2005 to 2010 applications to UK
universities rose by 34% (UCAS). Demand
for places continued with applications
rising by 11.94% over the last 5 years
with a peak in demand for the 2011/12
academic year of 2,847,012 applications. The
current academic year (2012/13) saw a fall
in applications of 7.4%, the first drop in a
number of years.
The number of applicants has also increased
over this period by just over 22.29% to total
653,637 in 2012/13, 6.64% below the peak
seen in 2011/12.
SUPPLY OF UNIVERSITY PLACES
Supply can be measured by looking at the
number of applicants who were accepted
onto university courses as this represents
the capacity for new students.
Total acceptances into UK Universities from
2007 to 2012 rose by 12.45% with a peak in
2011/12 of 492,030. Acceptances fell 5.51%
in the current year.
Acceptances to institutions in England
fell by 6.3% to 388,800 in 2012, however
acceptances to institutions in Scotland
increased by 1.9% to 41,900. Scottish and
(non-UK) EU students do not pay tuition fees
in Scotland.
Acceptances for the current academic
year were down by 7% in ‘higher tariff’
universities, 11% in ‘medium tariff’
universities and 14% in ‘lower tariff’
universities according to research
undertaken by CBRE. This could represent a
‘flight to quality’ from students who, if having
to pay higher fees, are more concerned with
the university’s reputation and ranking.
Source: UCAS
3,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13
2,355,069 2,195,637 2,387,415
2,720,498 2,847,012
2,636,252
UK UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS
Source: UCAS
500,000
480,000
460,000
440,000
420,000
400,000
380,000
360,000
2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13
413,430
456,627
481,854 487,329 492,030
464,910
UK UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCES
Source: UCAS
“According to the latest figures released by UCAS, there has been a 3.49% increase in applicants for
university courses commencing in 2013”
JAN 2013
2.45
M
2.36
M
JAN 2012
2012 - 2013
3.46%
JAN 2013
558
K
540
K
JAN 2012
2012 - 2013
3.49%
(2007 - 2013)
Source: UCAS
APPLICANT GROWTH
APPLICATION GROWTH
(2007 - 2012)
(
- 2 2)
(2012 - 2013)
(2012 - 2013)
