Winners and losers as universities report student application numbers
Westcountry universities and colleges are facing mixed fortunes as potential students opt out of Higher Education, the Western Morning News has learned.
Nationally, figures showed a nine per cent drop in the number of UK students applying to start university this autumn.
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In the South West, University College Falmouth's applications were down 16.1 per cent on 2011, however Plymouth University numbers were up against 2010 figures and was in a strong position despite the UK-wide downturn in applications for 2012 entry.
The university has enjoyed a three per cent rise compared with 2010 applications, with just a marginal decrease on 2011 which was an "exceptional year" for entries, they said.
A spokesman for Plymouth University said its successful focus on partnership and growing its international links had seen an increase of 30 per cent in overseas applications over the past year.
Another college to buck the national trend is South Devon College in Paignton which has seen an increase in applications to both Further Education and Higher Education programmes with particular growth for its yacht operations and healthcare practice foundation degrees.
The figures coincide with the first year of the tuition fee hike. From September maximum fees will go up from £3,000 to £9,000.
The UCAS snapshot revealed that in total, 462,507 UK students have applied for courses beginning in the autumn, compared with 506,388 at this point last year – a drop of 8.7 per cent.
Overall applications from all students, both home and abroad, are down by 7.4 per cent.
UCAS chief executive Mary Curnock Cook suggested that population changes could be a factor in the fall, and said the drop in demand was larger among wealthier students than poorer ones.
Ms Curnock Cook said: "Our analysis shows that decreases in demand are slightly larger in more advantaged groups than in the disadvantaged groups.
"Widely expressed concerns about recent changes in HE funding arrangements having a disproportionate effect on more disadvantaged groups are not borne out by these data."
Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of vice chancellors' umbrella group Universities UK, said: "While overall applicants have decreased compared with the same point last year, the dip is far less dramatic than many were initially predicting."
Applications to study at Exeter in 2012/13 were at the same level as last year with an average of more than six students applying for every place.
University bosses said 49 per cent of applicants came with at least three expected grade As at A-level.
A spokesman for University College Falmouth said figures had to be taken in the context of a 27 per cent increase in applications between 2010 and 2011.
He said: "Despite the drop in applications for 2012 entry, we still remain confident of meeting our recruitment target.
"We don't believe that this is indicative of a long term reduction in interest in Falmouth or creative arts education."
Student applications were down at Cornwall College, although principal Dave Linnell said the figures were skewed by the fact students preferred to apply later in the year.
Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union, said the overall drop in university applications was "very worrying and once again highlighted the Government's folly in raising tuition fees to as much as £9,000 a year".
She said: "We cannot afford a system that puts people off university if we are to compete in the modern world."
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by tansy25
Tuesday, February 07 2012, 12:12AM
“I think apprenticeships would be better if they didn't pay so low, getting £100 per week for working full time hours is not good enough , who can live on that? and because the hours are full time you can't get any help nor fit in another job . Also some employers use these apprentices as cheap labour and fob them off as soon as they are qualified as happened to my brother in law.
As a mature student myself I find that many of my younger peers do not have the right attitude towards their education, not turning up to classes, coming in hungover or not being willing to put in the effort.
Many go from school to sixth form to uni , and to a degree I think this creates a very sheltered entry in to adulthood with little to no actual life experience and many study without truly knowing what they want to do , they qualify and don't end up using the subject they studied because they aren't sure if it's for them anymore.
I think a break from education before going on to a degree course is essential, if anything to find out who you are and what you really want out of life because both of those decisions can't really be made in the classroom.”
by Cerberus2010
Monday, February 06 2012, 11:49PM
“The biggest problem is that Uni doesn't suit all youngsters for a variety of reasons. Also, many new students lack the basic academic skills, and frequently the self-motivation, that is necessary for a Uni education. Many enter Uni thinking it is just and continuation of school, when the whole learning process is completely different to what they have perhaps previously been used to.
As with a degree, good vocational qualification can, with the right companies and systems in place, lead on to much higher levels of study/qualification and a wide variety of employment opportunities, it doesn't HAVE to end with the initial qualification.”
by swoop3
Monday, February 06 2012, 9:05PM
“Plymouth Uni bucking the trend? We'll see.”
by polyversity
Monday, February 06 2012, 8:13PM
“Looks like Plymouth Uni is playing games. They are comparing current application data with that from 2010. The rest of the sector is being compared to the 2011 data. If you compare Plymouth's 2012 applications with the 2011 data then you'll see there is a 7.7% decrease in applications (hardly a 'marginal decrease').
This will be an ongoing reduction in applications. Expect to see some announcements of 10%-20% support staff redundancies in the coming weeks, followed by a cull of programmes that either are not recruiting or are getting bad feedback from the National Student Survey”
by willems
Monday, February 06 2012, 5:00PM
“Scrap the moronic multiple choice system for starters,and return to having to think about your answer,before you commit to paper. This of course,requires study of chosen subject in depth by the serious student,as opposed to the 'stab at it,25% chance of being correct,suggested answer,didn't revise',method. Naturally,this will separate the wheat from the chaff,and cull applications for University places away from those who don't merit consideration.
' The Brightest,and the Best Only ',please.”
by MickBarb
Monday, February 06 2012, 3:26PM
“Unis are things of the past, who the heck wants to pay £9000 fees when you can learn everything from the internet for free? Anyway most enlightened potential employers aren't interested in paper qualifications:- "You might look good on paper, but so do fish and chips, it's personality that opens doors"- Lord Sugar”
by DBPvy
Monday, February 06 2012, 3:10PM
“I have the utmost respect for Nurses and Carers; they do an incredibly difficult job for little reward and I meant no offence. I wouldn't consider caring for patients or keeping the ward clean to be menial. I was more aiming towards the fetching; carrying and doing other little tasks… the kinds of things that most people get given to do at a work placement or apprenticeship which help them learn how to do things while maybe not being the most fascinating of things to be asked to do.
Anyway, back to the original topic.
Some jobs I feel an apprenticeship is a far better way of getting into the work place. Not because I don't want to see people having the opportunity to go to University but because I feel I wasted time and money on something that didn't really help me get where I am now, and I don't want someone else being forced into the same trap.
There should be alternatives to University, unfortunately people seem to be being forced out of the University route in favour of… well… nothing, despite the Government promising apprenticeships galore it does not seem to have happened.”
by maxine711
Monday, February 06 2012, 2:33PM
“going to uni for the majority (not all admittedly) but for most it is one long party, claiming they have no money to eat properly but manage to drink themselves into oblivion night after night and why would they worry, because yes they may well have grants and/or student loans, which don't have to be paid back until they are earning something like £25k per annum and should they not get their dream job and not achieve as much as £25k then after 20 yrs or so it gets written off anyway.....so who ends up paying for it then i wonder! only one guess needed for that one!”
by Yesboy1
Monday, February 06 2012, 2:18PM
“didnt think the word i had used- that has been censored was offensive. will cut that out of my limited vocabulary in the future!
--but please send youre kids to uni. what a great way to enjoy the transition into adulthood (even if they do not use the degree they acquire)”
by Taxman100
Monday, February 06 2012, 2:16PM
“kimmyp. The nail on the head! You first paragraph sums up my personal experience of certain students.
I have repeatedly said, our education system has failed our young people. Our universities and colleges should be turning out students with the necessary education and skills required by our modern and dynamic industries - they do not!”