'Unprecedented' increase in uni applications 'fuelled by over-25s' » Education » 24dash.com

Record numbers of students gained places at UK universities last year, fuelled by a massive rise in applications from over-25s, official figures showed today.

More than 480,000 applicants won places at UK universities in 2009, a 5.5% increase on 2008, according to new figures from admissions body Ucas.

Some 89,000 applications were from adults aged 25 and over, compared to around 77,000 applications in 2008, a 15.3% increase.

Nearly 640,000 people in total applied for a place, a rise of 8.7% on 2008.

Almost 56,000 over-25s were awarded a place, against 51,400 in 2008, an 8.7% rise, the figures showed.

It came amidst fresh warnings that ministers must now fund extra places for this autumn to prevent tens of thousands of prospective students from missing out.

Les Ebdon, Chair of the think tank million+ and vice-chancellor of Bedfordshire University, said: "The 2009 Ucas figures show a significant increase in the number of people over 25 going to university.

"Many of these applicants will be non-traditional students who did not have the opportunity to go to university straight from school or college.

"In spite of the drop in unemployment figures in the last quarter, the rise in applications will continue in 2010. The Government must provide funding for additional student numbers in 2010 if Labour wants to fulfil its promise of being the party of opportunity."

Last week Mr Ebdon warned that universities are seeing a huge surge in applications for this autumn, with some of the newer universities seeing increases of more than 20%.

Ministers placed a cap on extra places last year, meaning that only an additional 13,000 were available for UK and EU students apply to English universities. Some 10,000 of these were for students studying maths and science-based subjects.

It is understood universities will only be able to recruit an additional 10,000 students again this year.

The record rises in student numbers come at a time of great concerns within the higher education sector over funding cuts.

Last month, Lord Mandelson announced budgets would be slashed by £135 million next year, on top of £600 million cuts to be made from 2012, announced in the Pre-Budget report, and another £180 million of efficiency savings.

With other savings, the public funding cuts will total £950 million between 2010-13, ministers have said.

Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students (NUS) said: "It is encouraging to see a record-breaking number of students being accepted into universities, but it is concerning that so many students with the ability to go to university were not able to as a result of the cap imposed on student numbers last year.

"We remain very concerned about the number of places that will be available this year following swingeing cuts to the higher education budget, predictions of yet another year of record applications and a further cap imposed on student numbers.

"The last thing we need is another student places crisis this summer.

"We are expecting yet another increase in applications this year. Unless there is an expansion of places, universities will be unable to meet demand.

"The Government needs to invest in the number of places needed to provide access for those who have the ability and aspiration to succeed in higher education.

"Applicants of all ages are clearly making the correct assessment that it is better to invest now in their education and training. We understand the current pressures on public finances, but the Government must also make the right long-term decisions.

"It is surely better to bear the cost of additional university places now than to shoulder the burden of disappointment and long-term unemployment later."

According to figures published at the end of last year, around 139,500 applicants were not offered a place in 2009, up from around 114,000 the year before.

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said: "The significant 8.7% increase in applications, demonstrates the extent to which people well understand the benefits and value of higher education.

"University is a life-changing, long-term investment that leads to a wide range of benefits for people in terms of their future income, health, career prospects, social life, and also has well-proven economic and social benefits for society at large.

"These benefits are particularly important in the current tough economic times."

She added: "In the context of this unprecedented demand, Universities UK is continuing to campaign against extensive financial cuts to the sector.

"As demand continues to increase this year, and with the continued cap on student numbers, we are going to see even more pressure on places.

"The case for continued investment in higher education is overwhelming, not least to avoid a situation where there are thousands of unhappy, unsuccessful applicants to university this summer."

The Ucas figures show:

:: 481,854 people were offered a place at a UK university in 2009, up from 456,627 in 2008.
:: There were 639,860 applicants, compared to 588,689 in 2008.
:: Some 89,133 over 25-year-olds applied in 2009, against 77,286 the year before.
:: Of these, 55,900 over-25s were awarded a place, compared to 51,443 in 2008.

The unprecedented increase in applications has been fuelled by many workers choosing to return to education in the recession.

Today's figures also indicate that universities will be hit with heavy financial penalties for over-recruiting thousands of students.

Some 373,700 UK and EU applicants won places at English institutions in 2009, up from around 357,000 in 2008 - an increase of around 16,700.

As only 13,000 extra places were made available by Government this means that universities have potentially accepted applications from 3,700 too many students.

This figure does include students of all levels, while the 13,000 extra places cap only applied to full time first year undergraduate students. It also looks at those offered places, rather than those actually taking up places.

Official figures on over-recruitment will be published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in March.

The Government has previously warned that universities which over-recruit would face penalties.

On today's Ucas figures, Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU) said: "The government has a fantastic record on trying to get more people into our universities.

"However, rhetoric alone is not enough. Now, more than ever, the government needs to be brave enough to back its policy and provide the necessary resources the university sector, and record numbers of students, so desperately need.

"If you make swingeing cuts there will be consequences. There will be job losses, there will be course closures and there will be qualified students who, despite having been encouraged by this government to apply to university, will miss out."

Ucas chief executive Mary Curnock Cook said: "Last year's cycle was record breaking for Ucas in terms of acceptances and applications.

"There are many factors that drive people to consider higher education, including the current economic situation, with more people looking to long term retraining in the traditionally more secure or transferable careers, such as nursing and combinations within business and administrative studies."

Universities minister David Lammy said more people are going to university than ever before, and insisted that Government investment in higher education has increased by 25% in real terms since 1997.

"I am particularly pleased that the figures also show that acceptances for young people from areas that traditionally have some of the lowest participation rates have shown the largest proportional increase, up 8%, which clearly illustrates that we are raising aspirations and widening participation in our universities."

Shadow universities minister David Willetts said: "The Government must not block the aspirations of potential university students. These figures show there is growing demand to study at university. The number of English students going to English universities is up by 15,000.

"Ministers have said they will fine universities almost £4,000 for every student that they over-recruited in 2009. We are in the absurd position that ministers are fining universities for moving towards the Government's own targets on student numbers and widening participation.

"There is a real risk that universities will now respond by reducing the number of places available next year."

Today's figures also show the rate of acceptance fell from 78% to 75%.