By Vivienne Russell
31 January 2011
The number of people applying for UK university courses has increased by 5%, according to figures published by Ucas today.
The admissions service says there were 583,501 applications for courses to begin later this year, 28,062 more than last year.
There were also marked increases in applications for higher education courses from people aged 20 and over. The rise in the number of 20-year-olds applying was 12.4%; in 21-year-olds, 15.3%; in 23-year-olds, 10.6%; and in 24-year-olds 11.4%.
The biggest increase (17%) was applications from European Union nationals, which rose from 34,856 to 40,790.
Commenting on the figures, universities minister David Willetts said: ‘In a year of unprecedented demand from applicants, we kept our commitment to fund an extra 10,000 student places.
‘A strong demand for places was expected this year so universities will be able to recruit the same number of new students in 2011.’
