Winners and losers as universities report student application numbers

This article is from This is Cornwall

Westcountry universities and colleges are facing mixed fortunes as potential students opt out of Higher Education, the Western Morning News has learned.

Nationally, figures showed a nine per cent drop in the number of UK students applying to start university this autumn.

The university has enjoyed a three per cent rise compared with 2010 applications, with just a marginal decrease on 2011 which was an "exceptional year" for entries, they said.In the South West, University College Falmouth's applications were down 16.1 per cent on 2011, however Plymouth University numbers were up against 2010 figures and was in a strong position despite the UK-wide downturn in applications for 2012 entry.

A spokesman for Plymouth University said its successful focus on partnership and growing its international links had seen an increase of 30 per cent in overseas applications over the past year.

Another college to buck the national trend is South Devon College in Paignton which has seen an increase in applications to both Further Education and Higher Education programmes with particular growth for its yacht operations and healthcare practice foundation degrees.

The figures coincide with the first year of the tuition fee hike. From September maximum fees will go up from £3,000 to £9,000.

The UCAS snapshot revealed that in total, 462,507 UK students have applied for courses beginning in the autumn, compared with 506,388 at this point last year – a drop of 8.7 per cent.

Overall applications from all students, both home and abroad, are down by 7.4 per cent.

UCAS chief executive Mary Curnock Cook suggested that population changes could be a factor in the fall, and said the drop in demand was larger among wealthier students than poorer ones.

Ms Curnock Cook said: "Our analysis shows that decreases in demand are slightly larger in more advantaged groups than in the disadvantaged groups.

"Widely expressed concerns about recent changes in HE funding arrangements having a disproportionate effect on more disadvantaged groups are not borne out by these data."

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of vice chancellors' umbrella group Universities UK, said: "While overall applicants have decreased compared with the same point last year, the dip is far less dramatic than many were initially predicting."

Applications to study at Exeter in 2012/13 were at the same level as last year with an average of more than six students applying for every place.

University bosses said 49 per cent of applicants came with at least three expected grade As at A-level.

A spokesman for University College Falmouth said figures had to be taken in the context of a 27 per cent increase in applications between 2010 and 2011.

He said: "Despite the drop in applications for 2012 entry, we still remain confident of meeting our recruitment target.

"We don't believe that this is indicative of a long term reduction in interest in Falmouth or creative arts education."

Student applications were down at Cornwall College, although principal Dave Linnell said the figures were skewed by the fact students preferred to apply later in the year.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, said the overall drop in university applications was "very worrying and once again highlighted the Government's folly in raising tuition fees to as much as £9,000 a year".

She said: "We cannot afford a system that puts people off university if we are to compete in the modern world."