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21 Jan 2011 15:31:32
Many
would-be students are being forced to miss out on the life-changing experience
of a university education according to latest figures.
This is also the view of the University of Bedfordshire’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Les Ebdon CBE.
Professor Ebdon CBE was speaking as chair of the university think-tank million+ following the release of the final UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) figures for students accepted into university or college in 2010.
He said: “These national UCAS figures paint a worrying picture with 210,222 would-be students missing out on a university place in 2010. Over the last six years the acceptance rate for applicants has fallen from 78 per cent to just 70 per cent.
“The figures show that there were just 5,475 extra acceptances in 2010 compared to 2009, yet there were an extra 57,491 applications – over ten students competing for each additional place. These extra places did not help UK students as there were actually fewer UK students accepted in 2010 than in 2009.
“Last year was a record year for the University of Bedfordshire with applications up 54 per cent but the signs are that this year the figures could go even higher.”
Nearly 10,000 candidates had applied to come to Bedfordshire by mid-December – a 24 per cent rise compared to the same period in 2009.
Professor Ebdon continued: “The Government’s failure to keep up with rising aspiration and to fund enough extra places, means that a whole generation of students will miss out on the life-changing opportunities that a university education provides.
“At the very same time, the unemployment figures released on Wednesday show that unemployment soared to almost 2.5 million at the end of last year – a double whammy for those who were left without a university place.
“These figures also reveal a clear age bias in acceptances – the older you are, the less likely you are to secure a place.
“With the latest figures for 2011 applications showing an increase in applications, especially from older students, compared to the same time last year, the Government needs to rethink how it is responding to the increased demand from mature and other widening participation applicants.”
For details on the latest available courses at the University of Bedfordshire, call the Admissions team on 08442 456618 or visit www.beds.ac.uk/january
Latest news» 2011» January» Would-be students forced to miss out
