§ 29. Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the latest university applications figures. [40066]
§ Dr. HowellsFigures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) show an increase as at 20 March of nearly 1 per cent. in home student applicants to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses aged under 21 compared with the position at the same stage last year. The most recent figures for home applicants of all ages show that overall numbers are around 2 per cent. lower. However, the indications are that more people have been applying later as they have become clearer about the Government's proposals. We expect further applications to be submitted, particularly from people aged 21 and over, who tend to apply later than younger applicants.