Latest news with #Ucas
Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Universities scramble to give out offers so they don't go bust
Universities have made a record number of offers this year as vice-chancellors scramble to fill places amid a spiralling funding crisis. More than two million offers were handed out to people applying for UK undergraduate courses starting this September, up 74,000 compared to last year and marking a nine per cent jump since 2023. It means more than nine in 10 people who applied for British university degrees before the January deadline this year have secured at least one offer. International students saw the highest rise in their overall offer rate, with almost two-thirds – or 64 per cent – of individual university applications proving successful. It is up from 59 per cent last year and 55 per cent in 2023. British teenagers will go into this summer's A-level results day more confident than last year's cohort, as the UK 18-year-old offer rate also rose, although marginally. Students can apply for up to five university courses through Ucas, with 80 per cent of entries from British Year 13 pupils resulting in an offer this year – up 1.2 per cent compared to 2024. It comes despite the application rate amongst UK 18-year-olds declining this year, suggesting universities have been more generous in handing out offers as they clamber to fill seats. Many institutions are grappling with worsening financial problems following a drop in overseas students and years of frozen tuition fees, with The Telegraph revealing earlier this year that a record 43 per cent are now in deficit. Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank, told PA: 'Universities nearly always prefer to fill their places than to have to close courses or make staff redundant, so I am not surprised that they are in such a scramble for students. 'Universities currently lose money on average on each home student but if you can enrol a few more students on lots of your courses then fewer of your courses will make a financial loss.' The Government announced last year that tuition fees for UK students will rise from September for the first time in eight years. Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, confirmed the annual price of a degree will increase from the current £9,250 to £9,535 to help reverse the eroding value of domestic tuition fees, which have remained frozen since 2017. But vice-chancellors have warned the move will only go a small way in helping universities through the current crisis, after a dramatic drop in lucrative international students dealt a hammer blow to their finances. Universities have been rushing in recent months to boost their attraction to prospective foreign students, who typically pay much higher tuition fees than those from the UK. Ucas data published on Thursday showed the efforts may have begun to pay off, with huge rises in applications from some countries. It includes a 14 per cent increase in applications from the US, which may be in part driven by President Donald Trump's attack on America's top universities. Mr Trump has slashed funding for many elite US colleges, which he claimed have become hotbeds for ideological indoctrination. It has meant many American universities are now under pressure to bow to Mr Trump's demands for fear of losing research grants and other funding. The US leader said he wants to grant the federal government the power to vet admissions and influence hiring, and has also ramped up security checks on foreign student visas. Meanwhile, undergraduate applications from China jumped 10 per cent this year to hit a record 33,870, despite the growing popularity and reputation of Beijing's domestic universities. Nigerian applications to UK undergraduate degrees also rose by 23 per cent, in what will prove a lifeline for UK universities highly dependent on students from the country. There were fears that a Nigerian currency crisis, which pushed the naira to an all-time low against the dollar last year, could deter applications and place some British universities under significant financial pressure. The Telegraph revealed last year that Nigerian students make up more than a quarter of the postgraduate student population at some UK institutions, including Robert Gordon University and the University of Bradford. Ucas data primarily covers undergraduate degrees, but most international students come to the UK to study postgraduate courses. The latest figures suggest overseas students may be increasingly opting for undergraduate degrees in Britain following a crackdown on postgraduates being allowed to bring family members with them. The previous Conservative government imposed a ban on foreign student dependent visas for most postgraduate students, with a small number of exceptions including for PhD students. International students enrolling on UK undergraduate courses are unable to bring family members with them in most cases, but the ban on student dependents may have reduced the attraction of postgraduate courses.
The Independent
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Number of offers made to prospective students by universities at record high
The number of offers made to prospective undergraduate students from universities and colleges has reached a record high, Ucas figures show. More than nine in 10 (94.5%) of all students who applied before the January deadline are going into the results period having received at least one offer, according to the university admissions service. As of June 30, the final deadline to apply to up to five courses simultaneously, more than two million main scheme offers had been made by universities and colleges – a rise of 3.8% compared with last year. Increases in offers from universities and colleges can be seen across all major applicant groups, but the largest increases can be seen for international applicants outside of the EU which are up 10.7%. It comes as university leaders have been warning of financial concerns due to a drop in the number of overseas students – who can be charged higher tuition fees – following restrictions introduced by the former Tory government. Universities are in a 'scramble for students' in a bid to avoid redundancies and course closures due to growing financial pressures, a higher education expert has suggested. The latest Ucas figures, released on Thursday, show that the number of UK 18-year-old applicants to courses by June 30 has reached a record high of 328,390, up 2.2% compared with the same point last year. But the data, which has been published ahead of A-level results day next month, shows that the application rate – the proportion of the 18-year-old population in the UK who applied – has fallen to 41.2% from 41.9% last year. Overall, the total number of applicants – of all ages and all domiciles – has risen to 665,070 this year, a 1.3% increase compared with 2024. There have been 138,460 international undergraduate applicants through Ucas, an increase of 2.2% compared with the same point last year. The data shows a new record number of applicants from China, up by 10% to 33,870 applicants this year, as well as year-on-year increases in applicants from Nigeria (plus 23%) and the USA ( plus 14%). Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank, told the PA news agency: 'Universities nearly always prefer to fill their places than to have to close courses or make staff redundant, so I am not surprised that they are in such a scramble for students. 'Moreover, universities currently lose money on average on each home student but, if you can enrol a few more students on lots of your courses, then fewer of your courses will make a financial loss. 'There is also a fear among some universities of applicants moving up the 'prestige chain' by securing a place at the most selective university they can, meaning some universities think they need to make more offers than they otherwise might.' He added: 'It is very worrying that the participation rate among 18-year-olds is down because it means the post-Covid picture of falling demand among school leavers is persisting. 'We need to ask if falling demand for higher education is now a trend rather than a blip. 'It seems the cost of living among students is biting and that some school leavers are waiting to see if other options come good.' Jo Saxton, chief executive at Ucas, said: 'The record number of UK 18-year-old applicants, and record number of offers being made to prospective undergraduate students, reflects real confidence in the higher education sector. 'It's great to see young people eager to take the next step in their educational and career journey, and universities and colleges committed to welcoming them. 'In the run-up to results day, I'd like to remind students and their families to remember that while the vast majority of applicants secure their first choice each year, it's always worth having a plan B. 'My advice is to begin by revisiting all of your original five choices on your Ucas application as your starting point.' A spokesperson for Universities UK (UUK) said: 'The proportion of 18-year-olds going to university is relatively stable, after a long period of growth, and in terms of absolute numbers of applications, it is a record year. 'These applicants will form the future workforce, and our country desperately needs the skills that universities will equip them with. 'Government data shows that some of the UK's highest potential employment sectors are hungry for people with graduate level skills.'
Leader Live
17-07-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Number of offers made to prospective students by universities at record high
More than nine in 10 (94.5%) of all students who applied before the January deadline are going into the results period having received at least one offer, according to the university admissions service. As of June 30, the final deadline to apply to up to five courses simultaneously, more than two million main scheme offers had been made by universities and colleges – a rise of 3.8% compared with last year. Increases in offers from universities and colleges can be seen across all major applicant groups, but the largest increases can be seen for international applicants outside of the EU which are up 10.7%. It comes as university leaders have been warning of financial concerns due to a drop in the number of overseas students – who can be charged higher tuition fees – following restrictions introduced by the former Tory government. Universities are in a 'scramble for students' in a bid to avoid redundancies and course closures due to growing financial pressures, a higher education expert has suggested. The latest Ucas figures, released on Thursday, show that the number of UK 18-year-old applicants to courses by June 30 has reached a record high of 328,390, up 2.2% compared with the same point last year. But the data, which has been published ahead of A-level results day next month, shows that the application rate – the proportion of the 18-year-old population in the UK who applied – has fallen to 41.2% from 41.9% last year. Overall, the total number of applicants – of all ages and all domiciles – has risen to 665,070 this year, a 1.3% increase compared with 2024. There have been 138,460 international undergraduate applicants through Ucas, an increase of 2.2% compared with the same point last year. The data shows a new record number of applicants from China, up by 10% to 33,870 applicants this year, as well as year-on-year increases in applicants from Nigeria (plus 23%) and the USA ( plus 14%). Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank, told the PA news agency: 'Universities nearly always prefer to fill their places than to have to close courses or make staff redundant, so I am not surprised that they are in such a scramble for students. 'Moreover, universities currently lose money on average on each home student but, if you can enrol a few more students on lots of your courses, then fewer of your courses will make a financial loss. 'There is also a fear among some universities of applicants moving up the 'prestige chain' by securing a place at the most selective university they can, meaning some universities think they need to make more offers than they otherwise might.' He added: 'It is very worrying that the participation rate among 18-year-olds is down because it means the post-Covid picture of falling demand among school leavers is persisting. 'We need to ask if falling demand for higher education is now a trend rather than a blip. 'It seems the cost of living among students is biting and that some school leavers are waiting to see if other options come good.' Jo Saxton, chief executive at Ucas, said: 'The record number of UK 18-year-old applicants, and record number of offers being made to prospective undergraduate students, reflects real confidence in the higher education sector. 'It's great to see young people eager to take the next step in their educational and career journey, and universities and colleges committed to welcoming them. 'In the run-up to results day, I'd like to remind students and their families to remember that while the vast majority of applicants secure their first choice each year, it's always worth having a plan B. 'My advice is to begin by revisiting all of your original five choices on your Ucas application as your starting point.' A spokesperson for Universities UK (UUK) said: 'The proportion of 18-year-olds going to university is relatively stable, after a long period of growth, and in terms of absolute numbers of applications, it is a record year. 'These applicants will form the future workforce, and our country desperately needs the skills that universities will equip them with. 'Government data shows that some of the UK's highest potential employment sectors are hungry for people with graduate level skills.'
North Wales Chronicle
17-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Number of offers made to prospective students by universities at record high
More than nine in 10 (94.5%) of all students who applied before the January deadline are going into the results period having received at least one offer, according to the university admissions service. As of June 30, the final deadline to apply to up to five courses simultaneously, more than two million main scheme offers had been made by universities and colleges – a rise of 3.8% compared with last year. Increases in offers from universities and colleges can be seen across all major applicant groups, but the largest increases can be seen for international applicants outside of the EU which are up 10.7%. It comes as university leaders have been warning of financial concerns due to a drop in the number of overseas students – who can be charged higher tuition fees – following restrictions introduced by the former Tory government. Universities are in a 'scramble for students' in a bid to avoid redundancies and course closures due to growing financial pressures, a higher education expert has suggested. The latest Ucas figures, released on Thursday, show that the number of UK 18-year-old applicants to courses by June 30 has reached a record high of 328,390, up 2.2% compared with the same point last year. But the data, which has been published ahead of A-level results day next month, shows that the application rate – the proportion of the 18-year-old population in the UK who applied – has fallen to 41.2% from 41.9% last year. Overall, the total number of applicants – of all ages and all domiciles – has risen to 665,070 this year, a 1.3% increase compared with 2024. There have been 138,460 international undergraduate applicants through Ucas, an increase of 2.2% compared with the same point last year. The data shows a new record number of applicants from China, up by 10% to 33,870 applicants this year, as well as year-on-year increases in applicants from Nigeria (plus 23%) and the USA ( plus 14%). Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank, told the PA news agency: 'Universities nearly always prefer to fill their places than to have to close courses or make staff redundant, so I am not surprised that they are in such a scramble for students. 'Moreover, universities currently lose money on average on each home student but, if you can enrol a few more students on lots of your courses, then fewer of your courses will make a financial loss. 'There is also a fear among some universities of applicants moving up the 'prestige chain' by securing a place at the most selective university they can, meaning some universities think they need to make more offers than they otherwise might.' He added: 'It is very worrying that the participation rate among 18-year-olds is down because it means the post-Covid picture of falling demand among school leavers is persisting. 'We need to ask if falling demand for higher education is now a trend rather than a blip. 'It seems the cost of living among students is biting and that some school leavers are waiting to see if other options come good.' Jo Saxton, chief executive at Ucas, said: 'The record number of UK 18-year-old applicants, and record number of offers being made to prospective undergraduate students, reflects real confidence in the higher education sector. 'It's great to see young people eager to take the next step in their educational and career journey, and universities and colleges committed to welcoming them. 'In the run-up to results day, I'd like to remind students and their families to remember that while the vast majority of applicants secure their first choice each year, it's always worth having a plan B. 'My advice is to begin by revisiting all of your original five choices on your Ucas application as your starting point.' A spokesperson for Universities UK (UUK) said: 'The proportion of 18-year-olds going to university is relatively stable, after a long period of growth, and in terms of absolute numbers of applications, it is a record year. 'These applicants will form the future workforce, and our country desperately needs the skills that universities will equip them with. 'Government data shows that some of the UK's highest potential employment sectors are hungry for people with graduate level skills.'
Rhyl Journal
17-07-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Number of offers made to prospective students by universities at record high
More than nine in 10 (94.5%) of all students who applied before the January deadline are going into the results period having received at least one offer, according to the university admissions service. As of June 30, the final deadline to apply to up to five courses simultaneously, more than two million main scheme offers had been made by universities and colleges – a rise of 3.8% compared with last year. Increases in offers from universities and colleges can be seen across all major applicant groups, but the largest increases can be seen for international applicants outside of the EU which are up 10.7%. It comes as university leaders have been warning of financial concerns due to a drop in the number of overseas students – who can be charged higher tuition fees – following restrictions introduced by the former Tory government. Universities are in a 'scramble for students' in a bid to avoid redundancies and course closures due to growing financial pressures, a higher education expert has suggested. The latest Ucas figures, released on Thursday, show that the number of UK 18-year-old applicants to courses by June 30 has reached a record high of 328,390, up 2.2% compared with the same point last year. But the data, which has been published ahead of A-level results day next month, shows that the application rate – the proportion of the 18-year-old population in the UK who applied – has fallen to 41.2% from 41.9% last year. Overall, the total number of applicants – of all ages and all domiciles – has risen to 665,070 this year, a 1.3% increase compared with 2024. There have been 138,460 international undergraduate applicants through Ucas, an increase of 2.2% compared with the same point last year. The data shows a new record number of applicants from China, up by 10% to 33,870 applicants this year, as well as year-on-year increases in applicants from Nigeria (plus 23%) and the USA ( plus 14%). Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank, told the PA news agency: 'Universities nearly always prefer to fill their places than to have to close courses or make staff redundant, so I am not surprised that they are in such a scramble for students. 'Moreover, universities currently lose money on average on each home student but, if you can enrol a few more students on lots of your courses, then fewer of your courses will make a financial loss. 'There is also a fear among some universities of applicants moving up the 'prestige chain' by securing a place at the most selective university they can, meaning some universities think they need to make more offers than they otherwise might.' He added: 'It is very worrying that the participation rate among 18-year-olds is down because it means the post-Covid picture of falling demand among school leavers is persisting. 'We need to ask if falling demand for higher education is now a trend rather than a blip. 'It seems the cost of living among students is biting and that some school leavers are waiting to see if other options come good.' Jo Saxton, chief executive at Ucas, said: 'The record number of UK 18-year-old applicants, and record number of offers being made to prospective undergraduate students, reflects real confidence in the higher education sector. 'It's great to see young people eager to take the next step in their educational and career journey, and universities and colleges committed to welcoming them. 'In the run-up to results day, I'd like to remind students and their families to remember that while the vast majority of applicants secure their first choice each year, it's always worth having a plan B. 'My advice is to begin by revisiting all of your original five choices on your Ucas application as your starting point.' A spokesperson for Universities UK (UUK) said: 'The proportion of 18-year-olds going to university is relatively stable, after a long period of growth, and in terms of absolute numbers of applications, it is a record year. 'These applicants will form the future workforce, and our country desperately needs the skills that universities will equip them with. 'Government data shows that some of the UK's highest potential employment sectors are hungry for people with graduate level skills.'
