This data may be out of date — the source may have published a newer figure.
Check UCAS →
Historical trend
Trend summary
UCAS received 740,000 applications from UK students for university entry in 2024, broadly stable year-on-year.
Trend
- UK student applications have grown from around 440,000 in 2006 to the current level, with growth accelerating after the introduction of higher tuition fees in 2012.
- Applications from disadvantaged backgrounds have grown faster than the average over the past decade.
- Applications from 18-year-olds are at a record high; applications from mature students (over 21) have declined since 2010.
Context
- UCAS publishes application data at multiple points in the cycle; the January deadline and end-of-cycle figures are the most complete.
- UK applications exclude international students, who are counted separately by UCAS.
Trend summary generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 on 14 March 2024. Contains no editorial judgement — describes direction, magnitude, and official projections only.