Million Plus

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (2 February) responded to the UCAS January deadline statistics report, which shows a 5% decline in applications overall on the same point last year and a 7% decline in applications from the EU.

Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of MillionPlus, said:

“While it is encouraging to see applications from 18 year olds remain relatively high, it is clear that a number of factors are affecting what would otherwise be a positive story in terms of increasing numbers of applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds. The continuing decline among older applicants will dent the government’s ambitions for social mobility and the 23% downturn in applications for nursing following the abolition of NHS bursaries should send a warning sign that their replacement with student loans may not be as attractive to the students who have often started these courses later in life.

“The 7% drop in applications from within the EU will worry universities and should convince the government that there is an urgent need to be much clearer about their Brexit priorities for the higher education sector and that a commitment to provide EU students commencing courses at UK universities in 2018-19 and 2019-20 with access to student loan funding is much needed and long overdue.” 

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
2. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk
3. UCAS tables are published on Thursday 2 February 2017 here