The number of people applying to full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges has increased by 6.4%, latest statistics from UCAS show. The rise represents 395,307 applicants applying to enter HE in 2007 compared to 371,683 in 2006. The snapshot of data is taken at UCAS' 15 January advisory closing date for UK and EU applicants, although it is possible to apply right up until the start of the academic year.

Anthony McClaran, UCAS Chief Executive, said: "These figures are encouraging for all who believe the expansion of higher education is good for individuals and good for our society. Not only has last year's dip in applications been reversed, but application levels are now higher than in 2005 which had previously broken all records. The increase is particularly marked in England".

"It's also good to see evidence of effective competition for international students, with double digit increases in the key markets of the India, Pakistan and the United States."

Applicants from England increased by 7.1% to 291,075 from 271,663. Applicants from other UK nations showed a 0.1% fall in those from Wales, a 0.9% rise in Scottish applicants and a 3.0% fall in applicants from Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland fall equates to 484 applicants.

Applicants to English universities and colleges increased by 7.2%, to Scottish institutions by 1.9%, and to Northern Ireland by 0.3% and those applying to Welsh institutions fell by 0.1%.

The number of people applying from outside of the EU is up 6.6% from 22,105 to 23,570. Applicants from China have risen by 1.3% and Hong Kong 10.3%. Amongst the other countries contributing the largest number of non-EU applicants were the United States (up 12.3%), Malaysia (up 4.7%), Pakistan (up 19.1%), Singapore (up 9.5%) and India (up 13.8%).

Those choosing to defer one or more of their choices for a year fell from 23,354 last year to 22,656 this year. 5.8% of applicant's choices were made for deferred entry this year, compared with 6.4% in 2006.

Table 1 - The number of applicants by 15 January; by entry cycle and gender

Table 2 - Applicants by declared Area of Permanent Residence

Table 3 - Applicants by age and declared area of permanent residence

Table 4 - Applicants by age and UK country of permanent residence

Table 5 - Applicants by declared area of permanent residence and country of institution

Note - An applicant has a maximum count of 1 to each 'country of institution'. If an applicant's choices include multiple countries then the applicant is counted once within each 'country of institution' present.

Table 6 - Applicants by overseas (including non-UK EU) country (> 600 applicants only)

Table 7 - Applicants who had an Area of Permanent Residence within a 'new' EU member country by country of residence

Table 9 - Foundation degree, applicants and applications (number of choices)

Media contacts

Byron Price, Communications Executive
Telephone: 01242 544987
Email: communications@ucas.ac.uk
Out of hours: 07768 740 461

Notes to editors

• UCAS is the organisation responsible for managing applications to UK higher education courses.

• A UCAS spokesperson is available for interview.

• Note that in the tabulations which specify "Other EU", the 2007 figures include both Bulgaria and Romania, but the 2006 figures exclude such countries (they were not in the EU in 2006 and are therefore accounted for as "Other Overseas"). The number of applicants from each of these countries is small (although showing a sharp increase) and so does not have much affect on the overall percentages.

• The figures for this press release are taken as at the 15 January 2007 and 15 January 2006 advisory closing dates.

• 'Applicants' refers to individuals applying through the UCAS scheme, submitting an UCAS application form to at least one course at a UCAS member institution.

• 'Applications' - the number of choices - each applicant may apply to up to six different courses/institutions. Only four of these choices may be courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science/medicine.

• Applicants from the UK and European Union should apply by 15 January, but those from outside the EU have until 30 June to return their forms, unless applying to Oxford or Cambridge, or for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine/science or certain courses in art and design.