With A-level Results Day just over a month away, figures released by UCAS suggest that the number of school-leavers heading off to university in September will be the second-highest on record at just over 319 500. After the last couple of pandemic-affected years, does this mean that degrees are still desirable?
Here, we will look at the evolving world of university applications and why changing perceptions could be the reason behind the high applicant numbers.
Quick links:
- Which courses are most popular?
- Clearing is no longer a last resort
- Offers on the up post-pandemic
- What do students really want?
- Getting university ready
Which courses are most popular?
Though courses relating to medicine, science, and engineering have the highest number of applicants, the increasing influence of digital technology and AI appears to be inspiring a new generation of experts. Computing was the seventh most popular course area overall, with nearly 95 000 applicants. That's up 9.5% on last year and 33% on 2021's tally, and is a record high overall.
Computing covers a range of areas, of course, with areas specific to artificial intelligence and software engineering both seeing notable increases in applicant numbers. With technology continuing to innovate and its capabilities expanding, there is sure to be a world of opportunities for this new cohort of students to explore.
Going in the other direction, UCAS reported a fall in applicant numbers for courses in education and teaching, and courses related to agriculture and food studies.
Clearing is no longer a last resort
Compared to previous years, students have a greater choice of eligible courses. Once seen as being the back-up option for students who didn't get the grades they needed, UCAS Clearing has made it possible for students with better-than-expected results to decline offers in favour of approaching higher-ranked universities instead. This means that there are fewer limitations for students to learn at the top level. In fact, 20 000 students declined their offer in favour of an alternative.
Similarly, Clearing has maintained its core function of opening alternative pathways. In addition to the long-standing Apply Through Clearing function, the introduction of Clearing Plus in 2020 has made the process of finding an eligible course more straightforward by matching students up based on their original courses and received grades, then allowing them to contact their selected university all from one tool. This saves time (and let's face it, stress) during Results Day, and helps get students back on track.
Offers on the up post-pandemic
It should come as no surprise that offer rates dropped during the Covid-19 pandemic, with universities understandably being cautious about how many students they could accept in an ever-changing situation. Now, the latest UCAS figures reveal that more than three-quarters (76.2%) of 18-year-old applicants have an offer from a university when compared to 73.9% in 2022, though there is still a way to go before levels get back to where they were before the pandemic.
The UCAS data also highlights an increase in the number of offers received by applicants from 'disadvantaged' backgrounds, with a rate of 76.5%. This is definitely a step in the right direction in breaking down barriers to higher education, though there is still more progress to be made, according to UCAS Chief Executive Clare Marchant.
What do students really want?
Against the backdrop of cost-of-living concerns, being able to save and earn while learning is a major factor in whether students pursue their chosen course. Though it's not necessarily deterring students from going to university, fears around the cost-of-living crisis have resulted in a greater proportion of students considering getting a part-time job alongside their studies.
Following the pandemic, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) produced a report on the lessons universities have learnt about student engagement raised by Covid-19 experiences. One of the points raised in the report is that students value time spent with tutors and access to further resources outside of timetabled lectures, and this will doubtless be in the minds of the current crop of students beginning their respective journeys.
Another point centred on flexibility, an important factor especially if more students will be balancing learning with a job. In a similar way, students reported that they would welcome better signposting to graduate jobs and help with making sense of employment language.
Getting university ready
A-level Results Day 2023 falls on 17th August. For the thousands of students aspiring to head to university in September, this is often where the direction of travel becomes clearer. It is also the day for making those choices we brought up earlier, whether that is through Clearing, resitting A-levels, or something completely different.
If all goes to plan, Results Day is also the time to start looking at the final details of university study, such as choosing your accommodation, looking at the societies you might want to join, and what the overall student experience is like. Have a look at what students say about your firm and insurance choices on Twitter and Reddit, see what there is to do in the local area, and don't forget to get student finance sorted.
Whichever path you take, good luck and if you need to resit your A-levels, or want to explore other paths to higher education, speak to our team of learning advisers to find out how we can help.
