Number of mature students applying for university university courses – Irvine Times

A total of 61 280 mature students in the UK (aged 21 plus) applied for bachelor’s places in the UK institutions until January-with 6.4% at the same time last year, according to the University Admission Service.

The number of candidates for training courses for nurses, midwives and teachers in the UK has also dropped compared to January last year, according to data.

The number of mature candidates in the United Kingdom in nursing courses has dropped by 12.1% per year – from 14 340 to 12 610, UCAS figures show.

The Royal Nursing College (RCN) has called on the government to deal with the “workforce crisis” and to start a student recruitment campaign urgently.

Overall, the total number of candidates – of all ages and residence – to bachelor’s courses in the UK has increased by 1.0% to 600 660 this year.

The number of 18-year-olds in the UK applying for bachelor’s courses has increased by 2.1%from 316 850 to 323 360.

Despite the increase in the number of candidates, the application rate for 18-year-old 18-year-old children dropped from 41.3% last year to 40.6%.

The number of international students applying for a place of higher education in the UK through UCAS has increased by 2.7% this year.

Overall, the total number of candidates from China has increased by 8.9% to 31,160 since January last year, while the number of applicants from the United States has increased by 11.7% to 6,680.

Joe Saxton, CEO of UCAS, said: “It is encouraged to see a record large number of 18-year-olds applying for a university in the UK.

“The continued decline in the demand by mature candidates shows that we need to do more work to destroy barriers before progression and better support for students of any origin who could benefit from the transformative experience of higher education.”

She added: “The news is especially welcome to see that global trust in the UK higher education sector remains strong, with an increase in international candidates for students through UCAS to universities and colleges in the UK in 2025.”

Nicolas Ranger, CEO and Secretary General of RCN, said: “These figures are detrimental to the nursing profession and a blow to a hammer for the planned NHS reforms of the government.

“Health services are fighting thousands of jobs for unfinished nurses, and the horizon looks gloomy – the nursing chosen breastfeeding in England has immersed themselves to a record low level.

“The government must urgently attach this workforce crisis. Ministers must launch an emergency, fully funded student recruitment campaign this spring to turn this situation before taking September.

“Today’s broken model of financing education impoverished students and beats them with debt, and this diverts people from the profession of nurses. Low initial salaries worsen the bad situation. This additional decline of students is dangerous for patient care. “

A spokesman for Universities UK (UUK) said: “Today’s data shows that the university continues to be central to the aspirations of young people in the UK. In the bigger part of the cases, going to the university gives the graduates a great impetus to the career.

“We are especially pleased to see an increase in applications from young disadvantaged people who often endure to win the maximum of higher education.”