Figures released today (Thursday 19 September) reveal 277,790 UK 18-year-olds have been accepted onto undergraduate courses, up from 270,350 (+2.8%) in 2023.
UCAS’ analysis shows the number of students placed onto full-time undergraduate courses 28 days after results days for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (12 September). In total, there have been 498,340 acceptances (all ages, all domiciles), which has risen from 493,940 (+0.9%) last year but is lower than the peak of 515,650 (-3.4%) in 2020.
The overall number of acceptances has been driven by UK 18-year-olds but there has been a decline in mature and international students getting onto an undergraduate university or college course. Mature acceptances (UK aged 21 and over) have declined to 64,180 from 66,360 in 2023 (-3.3%) while 61,110 international applicants (all ages) have received a place this year, marginally down on 61,470 (-0.6%) last year.
Other key Day 28 undergraduate admissions headlines include:
- Overall, 68,810 applicants (all ages, all domiciles) have been placed in Clearing to date, up from 67,990 (+1.2%) in 2023 and 65,810 (+4.6%) in 2019.
- Of the 42,320 students who have used Decline My Place, 30% of those releasing from a higher tariff university went on to find a place at another higher tariff provider and 36% went from lower tariff to lower tariff. Meanwhile 22% of those releasing from lower tariff have switched to a medium tariff provider and 6% to higher tariff provider.
- The number of UK 18-year-olds from the lowest progression areas (POLAR4 quintile 1) has risen this year to 32,540 up from 31,140 (+4.5%) in 2023. Across other measures, we also see growth in students in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM), TUNDRA Q1 and IMD Q1.
- China remains by the far the largest international market with 14,890 acceptances (-1.9% on last year), followed by India (4,770, -3.8%) and Hong Kong (3,120, -6.3%). The total number of students placed from the EU is 10,520, down from 10,610 (-0.8%) in 2023.
- More students have secured a place at higher tariff universities, 175,690 this year compared with 162,930 (+7.8%) in 2023. Medium tariff institutions have accepted 161,470 applicants (162,310, -0.5%) and lower tariffs have accepted 161,190 applicants (168,690, -4.4%).
Dr Jo Saxton CBE, UCAS Chief Executive, said: “This year we have seen a small increase in the number of students getting a place at university, driven by a rise in the number of UK 18- year-olds. At the same time, the figures show there are challenges with mature and international acceptances.
“There has also been a high number of applicants using Clearing, with students seemingly motivated by plenty of choice this cycle, giving the opportunity to pursue an alternative option they may not have previously considered or thought was out of reach.
“I firmly believe in the life-changing power of higher education and it’s good to see higher education remains a popular choice, with so many going on to study a course that excites them and which they’re passionate about as their next step towards a fulfilling and rewarding career."
Clearing remains open until October 21 and UCAS’ team is available to advise and guide students on the phones, on social media or on ucas.com.
View all of today’s statistics in our interactive dashboard
ENDS
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UCAS
UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is an independent charity, and the UK's shared admissions service for higher education.
UCAS’ services support young people making post-18 choices, as well as mature learners, by providing information, advice, and guidance to inspire and facilitate educational progression to university, college, or an apprenticeship.
UCAS manages almost three million applications, from around 700,000 people each year, for full-time undergraduate courses at over 380 universities and colleges across the UK.
UCAS is committed to delivering a first-class service to all our beneficiaries — they're at the heart of everything we do.