Million Plus

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (13 July) commented on the UCAS June deadline statistical release, which shows UK applicants down 4% and EU applicants down 5% as well as a continued fall of mature student numbers.

Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of MillionPlus, said:

“The application data from UCAS is not good news and shows a further decline in the number of mature students, confirming yet again that the current fees and funding system is not working for those who want to study later in life.

“As predicted, the abolition of bursaries has depressed rather than increased applications for nursing and there will be no additional nurses trained in spite of Ministers’ assurances. The government should now guarantee that the tuition fee system will not be extended to paramedics and other NHS staff groups.

“The EU market has been an area of consistent growth in recent years and the 5% fall in applications will create additional concerns. There is no doubt that the government’s approach to Brexit is damaging and is creating huge uncertainties, both for EU students and UK universities.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
2. Modern universities: key facts 2017
3. This statistical releases describe applicants and applications from the 2017 UCAS cycle at the 30 June deadline. 30 June is the deadline for all applications to UK higher education via the main application scheme
4. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658/07527 336 795 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk