Figures confirm it's tougher getting into university

16 Nov 2010

Figures released by the university admissions service, UCAS, have confirmed that the competition for undergraduate places at university is getting tougher.

 Today's statistics, relating to entry in autumn 2010, show that the acceptance rate has fallen to 69.6% from 75.3% in 2009.

This year's figure is significantly lower than the long-term trend, which between 2003-2008 was fairly settled, ranging between 78.4% and 77.2%.

Overall, 209,000 applicants were left without a place, a 34% increase on the figure for 2009 which was 156,000.

However, some caution is required with these statistics as a large number of applicants (94,000 in all) either declined all their offers or withdrew voluntarily from the applications process.

The acceptance rate varied  by age, with students aged 20 or under more likely to be successful (74.7% acceptance rate) compared to those aged 21-24 (59.6%) and over 25 (53%).

Acceptance rates also varied by type of school.  State grammar schools had the highest acceptance rates (83.8%), closely followed by independent schools (82.9%). Students from Sixth Form Colleges had an acceptance rate of 80.6%, FE Colleges were at 74.3% and state schools (excluding grammar schools) were at 78.5%.

The full data is here: www.ucas.ac.uk/documents/mediareleases/endofyearreport.pdf

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