- Applicants for early deadline courses have increased by 1.3% (+990 applicants) overall compared to last year.
- The number of UK 18-year-old applicants has fallen by 0.9% (-370 applicants) whereas UK mature applicants have increased by 3% (+190 applicants).
- The number of applicants for medicine courses has fallen, down 3.3% (-800 applicants) compared to last year.
- There has also been a 4.7% (+980 applicants) increase in international undergraduate applicants through UCAS for early deadline courses.
More university applicants have applied to early deadline undergraduate courses (15 October) compared to last year, new UCAS figures reveal. There have been 73,720 applicants to medicine, dentistry, veterinary courses and courses at Cambridge and Oxford in the 2025 cycle, up 1.3% (+990 applicants) since last year’s deadline.
Overall the number of UK 18 year olds who applied to an early deadline course has fallen by 0.9%, (-370 applicants) with 38,940 applicants compared to 39,310 this time last year. The number of 18-year-old applicants from the most disadvantaged backgrounds (POLAR4 Q1) remains level with last year at 3,160 applicants. The number of UK mature applicants (aged 21+) to early deadline courses has increased by 3% (+190 applicants) to 5,930.
Today’s figures also reveal significant growth in 18-year-old applicants from Scotland, with an 8% increase (+110) for early deadline courses to 1,420. Welsh applicants remain level (0.0% change at 1,220) with a 6% fall for applicants in Northern Ireland (-40 to 700) and a 1.2% fall for those in England (-440 to 35,610).
The number of applicants to medicine fell by 3.3%, with 23,350 applicants to medicine courses by the 15 October deadline, compared to 24,150 at the same point last year. This fall can be mainly attributed to a decline in the number of UK 18-year-olds applying for medicine, with 11,300 applicants, down from 11,750 last year. However, there was a small increase in UK mature applicants (aged 21+) for medicine. This year’s decline in medicine applicants represents a continuing trend of falling numbers since the peak demand for healthcare courses seen during the pandemic.
Today’s data, marking the first release of the 2025 entry cycle, also suggest the UK’s higher education sector remains an attractive global destination, with a 4.7% increase in international undergraduate applicants through UCAS, compared to last year’s figures. China remains the largest international market, returning to growth with a 14% increase in applicants compared to last year’s figures.
Dr Jo Saxton CBE, Chief Executive at UCAS said: “I’m pleased to see an increase in applications for early deadline courses compared to last year, especially among mature students. Medicine remains a competitive subject with many more applications than available places, even with the decline in applicants seen in recent years, following the peak demand during the pandemic.
“It’s welcome news to see that global confidence in the UK’s higher education sector remains strong, with an increase in international undergraduate applicants to UK universities and colleges for early deadline courses.
"I’m delighted to see applicants already starting to benefit from UCAS’ new free school meals fee waiver, and I want to encourage anyone considering an application this year to apply. We know there is more that can be done as a sector to break down any potential barriers and ensure more young people can benefit from the transformative opportunities of higher education.
“UCAS is available to support students throughout the cycle, and the team are on hand to guide students with their next steps as we approach the equal consideration deadline for all other courses on 29 January 2025.”
View today’s figures in our interactive dashboard
ENDS
Notes to editors
15 October 2024 marks the equal consideration deadline for applications to courses beginning autumn 2025 at Cambridge and Oxford, as well as medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses.
The UCAS equal consideration deadline for all other courses is 29 January 2025.
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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.