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8 Feb 2010 14:26:43
Applications to the University of Bedfordshire are up a staggering 54.5 per cent making it second top for increases among mainstream universities in England.
The news follows the publication of figures released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) today (Mon) that show another record year for applicants to higher education.
Applications to the University of Bedfordshire have nearly doubled in two years rising to 14,574 in 2010. Applications for nursing degrees are up 88 per cent and for social work they are up 86.9 per cent.
The number of applications from mature students is also up – 57 per cent for applicants aged 21 to 24 and 74 per cent for applicants aged over 25.
University of Bedfordshire Vice Chancellor Professor Les Ebdon CBE, said: “It’s a record year for us and I am not surprised. We had a fantastic year of achievement in 2009 culminating in a very successful QAA audit. Our stunning new campus centre is also taking shape and on schedule to open in September.
“Competition for places has never been tougher but I will continue to campaign for more places so that students who want to come here and qualify are given the opportunity to fulfil their potential.
“The Government now has a straightforward choice – fully fund additional student places in 2010 or spend more on benefits for the thousands turned away from higher education.
“The failure to fund universities will increase the call on the benefits budget of the Department for Work and Pensions, as thousands of applicants who would have studied for degrees are instead left to sign on because of a shortage of funded placed.
“The most worrying consequence of this shortage is that many ‘widening participation’ students will miss out as universities juggle the applications of candidates with very high grades against those with lower pre-entry or vocational qualifications.
“A degree would vastly improve the life chances of young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and it would significantly increase the opportunities of those people over 25, many of whom have been made redundant in the recession and who have applied in hugely increased numbers this year, as they try to retrain.
“With the UK’s economy still very fragile and high value skills a wise investment in a difficult jobs market, missing out on a degree this year could be immensely damaging.”
Latest news» 2010» February» Record increase for Uni applications
