StudentMediaWire

The number of applicants to UK universities and colleges is up 9.1% on the same point last year, according to admissions service UCAS.

So far this year, 540,108 people have applied to start courses this autumn, compared with 494,842 at the same point last year.

The figures continue the trend set earlier in the year, which also showed a healthy increase.

A UCAS spokesperson said: “It is hugely encouraging to see that application figures are maintaining the strong growth that we saw at the start of the year.”

NUS, the representative body of UK students’ unions, has responded cautiously. Its president, Wes Streeting, said: “We welcome the overall rise in applications to universities and colleges. It is a positive sign that more people are aspiring to enter higher education.

“However, it must be remembered that these figures include nursing and midwifery statistics for the first time. As many of these applicants traditionally come from lower socio-economic backgrounds, it is impossible to judge the government’s performance on its widening participation agenda.

“Institutions must not be complacent when it comes to widening participation among those groups who have not traditionally attended university. They must also be careful to give a fair chance to those who have gained qualifications other than A-levels, but who may nonetheless benefit from higher education.”