Figures reveal record slump in university applications

The number of people applying to university has dropped by 9% compared to this time last year, according to new figures released today by the university admissions service UCAS.

UCU said the figures were particularly worrying when put alongside results of a survey released today that shows the increase in university fees is putting 10% of A-level students off applying to university. Around half of the youngsters polled said they would consider a university closer to home or one abroad with cheaper fees to save cash.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'The government's fees policy has been a disaster from the start and it is clearly having a serious impact on the choices young people make. Now is the time for a rethink to avoid doing serious damage to universities and young people's futures.

'People should study the right course for them, not just the cheapest one or none at all. These depressing figures take us back to the time when it was cost, not ability, that determined your future.'

More on the university applications figures

More on the survey of A-level students