The number of applicants to higher education university places has again hit a record high, according to figures released by UCAS today.
This is the fourth year running that full-time undergraduate applications have seen an increase.
As of 22 January there were 570,556 applicants, a rise of 106,389 or 22.9% over 2009.
The UK saw an increase in applicants of 22.1%, while overseas applicants rose from 55,245 to 71,105 (up 28.7%). Ireland (50.4%), China (22.4%), Germany (23.7%) and Lithuania (102.3%) showed the most significant percentage increases.
UCAS Chief Executive, Mary Curnock Cook, said: "It is clear that once again we have seen a significant rise in applications which leaves us in no doubt that, as last year, this cycle will be very challenging and competitive for applicants and the higher education sector generally.
"There has been a steady increase year on year since 2007, but this year shows a sizeable leap in applications."
She said the current economic situation is causing people to apply to higher education as a way of re-training to ready themselves for the job market once the economy picks up.
For instance, social work has seen a 41.3% increase and nursing a 73.7% rise.
Ms Curnock Cook added: "With such a significant increase in the number of applications compared to the same point last year, and the extension of the January deadline by one week, the efficiency of the UCAS online application system and our capacity to be successful in response to changing application patterns becomes even more important."
(PR/GK) |
