Record numbers of students are hoping to study at Oxford or Cambridge

Cambridge has received more than 16,500 applications from youngsters hoping to begin studying a degree next autumn.

And Oxford said that 17,729 applications had been submitted.

The statistics come as the admissions service, Ucas released its first figures on the numbers of students who have already applied to start university next year.

The data, which covers only students who had applied for medicine, dentistry, veterinary courses or Oxbridge by the October 15 deadline, show a slight rise in applications.

Overall, 58,200 people in the UK and overseas had submitted their applications by this date, compared with 56,810 last year.

Cambridge said that its application figures – the highest since the University’s record began – was down to extensive outreach work and a “high-profile commitment” to ensuring that all students have a fair chance of a place.

Dr Mike Sewell, director of admissions for the Cambridge colleges, said “It is great to see a record number of students who feel confident that they will be competitive applicants to Cambridge. Cambridge is committed to evidence-based admissions decisions, which take into account a student’s most recent exam results.”