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UCAS releases final figures for 2003 entry to UK higher education

Final figures released today by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for 2003 entry to higher education show that the number of full-time students accepted by UK universities and colleges in autumn 2003 was up by 1.7% (6,192) on last year. A total of 374,307 applicants were accepted onto full-time undergraduate courses compared with 368,115 in 2002.

The number of applicants under 21 accepted by higher education courses in the UK has risen by 1.3% (3,766) compared with 2002. In the 21-24 age bracket the number of accepted applicants rose by 2.4% (1,017) and accepted applicants from the 25 and over age bracket have gone up by 3.7% (1,409). In total, the number of mature applicants (aged 21 and over) accepted onto courses for 2003 entry has risen by 3.0% (2,426).

The final figures for 2003 show that the number of applicants accepted by higher education institutions is rising steadily in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The number of applicants living in Scotland and accepted by Scottish institutions has risen by 1.7% (450) on 2002. Wales has experienced a decrease of 0.5% (45) of Welsh domiciled accepted applicants to Welsh institutions The number of overseas applicants admitted to UK universities and colleges has risen by 13.9% (3,395).

The number of applicants accepted onto degree courses rose by 3.2% from 344,577 in 2002 to 355,531 for 2003 entry. Acceptances to HND courses fell by 20.2% from 23,531 for 2002 entry to 18,776 for 2003. However, 5,596 students have been accepted for foundation degrees, compared with 2,699 at the same point last year, which represents a 107.3% increase.

Amongst the degree subjects showing the biggest increase in applications accepted for 2003 are media studies (up 15.8%), nursing (up 15.2%), education (up12.4%), cinematics and photography (up 10.6%), architecture (up 10.3%) and pre-clinical medicine (up 10.2%). A 34.7% rise in social work applications has been seen, with the introduction of new degree level courses.

The degree courses showing the largest percentage falls in the number of accepted applicants include information technology (down 13.3%), electronic and electrical engineering (down 10.2%) and computer science (down 5.9%).

Large percentage rises in numbers of applicants accepted on to HND courses were seen in civil engineering (up 30.5%) and general engineering (up 11.2%), whereas falls were seen in information systems (down 32.4%) and mechanical engineering (down 24.4%).

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