University candidates scramble to beat fees rise

New figures reveal that 583,501 people have applied to start courses at British universities in September – a 5.1 per cent rise compared with this time last year.

More than half the universities in Yorkshire have seen applications rise by more than double the national figure, according to UCAS (University and Colleges Admission Service).

The increase in the region is thought to be because students are putting off gap years in order to avoid higher fees, which will almost treble next year, coupled with the lower cost of living in the north of England.

There are fears that record numbers will miss out on university places because of the high demand. Last September more than 200,000 university applicants across the country failed to get into higher education.

No extra places will be made available by the Government above the number on offer in September 2010.

The latest UCAS figures show Bradford University has seen a 15 per cent increase in applicants compared with last year, Huddersfield’s applications have gone up by 14.1 per cent, York St John’s increase was 13.3 per cent while both Leeds Met and Sheffield Hallam have seen rises of more than 10 per cent.

Prof Roger Lewis, Yorkshire Universities Group’s chief executive, said: “The region has always been a popular destination for students and the lower cost of living offers an additional benefit – particularly in these harsh economic times.

“So our students get the best of all worlds – outstanding teaching and learning in the highest quality facilities in places where living on a student budget can be easily managed.” He said Yorkshire offered a breadth of courses and types of university.

Three of the region’s most prestigious universities, Leeds, Sheffield and York, have all seen a drop in the numbers applying this year. Sheffield University had 15 per cent fewer applicants with 31,360 candidates choosing it compared with 37,292 12 months ago. A university spokesman said: “This represents a decrease of around 15 per cent on the number of applications received in 2010, but an increase of three per cent in the number of applications received over the last three years. In 2010, the university saw an exceptional increase in applications, above 18 per cent, well in excess of the national average.”

Although Leeds University saw applications drop it has still attracted the highest number of would-be students in the region with 48,529 candidates. A Huddersfield University statement said its latest figures showed an increase in applications three times the national average.

Deputy vice chancellor Prof Peter Slee said the increase was partly because of the clamour to avoid higher fees but also because of “the kind of job-centred, professional and vocational courses” on offer at Huddersfield.

Nationally the statistics show that applications from students aged 19 and under rose by 10.2 per cent, while those from 20-year-olds increased by 12.4 per cent and those from 21-year-olds by 15.3 per cent.

Universities Minister David Willetts said: “In a year of unprecedented demand from applicants, we kept our commitment to fund an extra 10,000 student places, allowing more students than ever before to go to an English university in 2010.

“A strong demand for places was expected this year so universities will be able to recruit the same number of new students in 2011.

“Going to university has always been a competitive process and not all who apply are accepted.”