UK university applications rise for first time in three years
A total of more than 560,000 people have applied to start a full time undergraduate course in 2019, almost 2,500 more than at the same point last year, and the first increase in three years, according to new figures from UCAS.
2 minutes to read
Overall, a record breaking 38.2% of 18-year olds in the UK have applied for a full time undergraduate course, up from 37.1% last year. On ongoing demographic trend sees fewer people turning 18 this year which means that, while the proportion of 18-year olds applying rose, the total number of UK applicants of all ages decreased by 0.7% to 453,840.
Applicants from outside the UK, meanwhile, increased to their highest levels on record. Overall, 19.2% of all applicants are from outside the UK.
The number of applicants from the European Union increased by 1%, to 43,890 and there are a record number of applicants from outside the EU. Some 63,690 have applied to study in the UK, an increase of 9% on last year.
The number of applicants from China has increased by 33.3% this year – rising from 11,915 to 15,880. This follows an increase of 20.6% last year, and brings Chinese applicant numbers to almost the same level as those from Wales and Northern Ireland (18,855 and 17,910 respectively).
Neil Armstrong, Student Property partner at Knight Frank, commented: “A record breaking 38.2% of 18 year olds in the UK have applied for a full time undergraduate course.
This, alongside an increase in EU applicants and the highest ever recorded total applicants from outside the EU, reaffirms the global appeal of UK Higher Education. The global appetite for investment in UK student property has never been higher and will be further bolstered by this year’s applications.
"As the size of the 18 year old cohort in the UK begins to increase from 2021 onwards this will provide a further boost to demand for purpose built student accommodation which will increase in line with a healthy pipeline of new stock. This uptick in delivery will play a significant role in helping to ease the pressure on existing non purpose built student accommodation.”
Students can also still apply until 30 June, and afterwards directly through Clearing.
The latest Knight Frank Student Housing report can be viewed here.