19 December 2014 
Matt Sisson, Projects and Membership Manager
The number of students placed at universities and colleges through UCAS in a single year has topped 500,000 for the first time, according to the latest data from the admissions service. 2014 saw 512,400 people secure places, up 3.4% on 2013, which included a record number from both the UK and overseas. The data also identifies some interesting demographic changes.
According to the report, “entry rates from young people in the least advantaged groups have increased to record highs across the UK”, with disadvantaged young people now “over 10% more likely to enter HE than they were a year ago”. However, UCAS also finds that “the gap between men and women has widened to over eight percentage points this year. The imbalance is replicated across 98% of constituencies. Young women are also 26 per cent more likely than men to enter higher tariff universities and colleges”.
The Guardian and the Times Higher cover the announcement, with the former highlighting the gender imbalance, and the latter the suggestion that the most selective institutions are lowering entrance grades. Quoted on the Universities UK website, Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of UUK said the figures showed a “return to stability”. She added:
“Young people, overall, are more likely than ever to secure university places. The entry rates by age 19 are now at record levels, highlighting the importance with which young people see higher education. The significant increase in the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds entering higher education is good news. Universities have worked hard to widen participation, but there is still work to be done to improve participation from some areas and courses.”
