In the news

UCAS reports an upsurge in total university applications by December 2011. However they are still down by 22,000 compared with the same time last year. Most of this appears to be due to a fall of 23,000 in UK-based applicants (down 7.6%). Applications from mature students (21+) fell by 13.4%, EU applications were down by 11% but applications from outside the EU were up by 13% to 24,000. As the UCAS deadline approaches (15 January 2012) for applications for courses starting this autumn, it is not yet clear what the final position will be but UCAS will publish the final application figures on 30 January 2012.