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University applications up 23% University applications up 23%
(19 minutes later)
The number of students wanting to go to university in the UK this year rose by more than a fifth, new figures show.The number of students wanting to go to university in the UK this year rose by more than a fifth, new figures show.
Figures from the University application services, Ucas, showed a 22.9% increase in applications on last year.Figures from the University application services, Ucas, showed a 22.9% increase in applications on last year.
The details on would-be student numbers come a week after university funding chiefs said there would be 6,000 fewer places for 2010-11 than last year.The details on would-be student numbers come a week after university funding chiefs said there would be 6,000 fewer places for 2010-11 than last year.
Ucas said this meant it would be "very challenging and competitive" year for those wanting to go to university. Ucas said this meant it would be a "very challenging and competitive" year for those wanting to go to university.
It is the fourth year running that full-time undergraduate applications have increased. It is the fourth year running that full-time undergraduate applications have increased. But there is particular interest this year because of the funding cuts that universities are being required to make.
The current economic situation is causing people to apply to higher education Mary Curnock CookUcas chief executiveThe current economic situation is causing people to apply to higher education Mary Curnock CookUcas chief executive
Overall 570,556 would-be students applied to universities in the UK this year. This was 106,389 or 22.9% more than in 2009. Overall, 570,556 would-be students applied to universities in the UK this year. This was 106,389 or 22.9% more than in 2009.
The number of UK-based applicants was up 22.1%, while overseas applications rose 28.7%.The number of UK-based applicants was up 22.1%, while overseas applications rose 28.7%.
Chief executive Mary Curnock Cook said: "'It is clear that once again we have seen a significant rise in applications which leaves us in no doubt that, as last year, this cycle will be very challenging and competitive for applicants and the higher education sector generally. University funding bodies will be setting out how many places will be available this year in the coming weeks.
Ucas chief executive Mary Curnock Cook said: "'It is clear that once again we have seen a significant rise in applications which leaves us in no doubt that, as last year, this cycle will be very challenging and competitive for applicants and the higher education sector generally.
"There has been a steady increase year on year since 2007, but this year shows a sizeable leap in applications."There has been a steady increase year on year since 2007, but this year shows a sizeable leap in applications.
"There are some systemic changes affecting the figures but we could also conclude that the current economic situation is causing people to apply to higher education as a way of re-training to ready themselves for the job market once the economy picks up.""There are some systemic changes affecting the figures but we could also conclude that the current economic situation is causing people to apply to higher education as a way of re-training to ready themselves for the job market once the economy picks up."
She added that this year's figures included 46,012 applications who had previously applied in 2009. They had either been unsuccessful in securing a place or had decided not to take up the places offered, she said. 'On the dole'
She added that this year's figures included 46,012 applicants who had previously applied in 2009. They had either been unsuccessful in securing a place or had decided not to take up the places offered, she said.
The University and College Union, which represents teaching staff said thousands of students would have their dreams of a university education shattered by government funding cuts.
General Secretary Sally Hunt said: "The government is abandoning a generation who instead of benefiting from education will find themselves on the dole alongside sacked teaching staff."