The figures, from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), revealed that 209,253 people, one in three who applied, did not get a place at university. In total 688,310 people applied and 479,057 (69.6%) were accepted. In the previous year 633,592 people applied and 477,277 (75.3%) were accepted.
The figures come in the wake of the publication last week of Lord Browne's review of higher education funding and student finance.
Aaron Porter, NUS President said:
"At a time when universities need public funding and radical reform to meet increasing demand from applicants, Lord Browne has opted to focus on ramping up the costs to students to fill a black hole created by self-defeating cuts."
"The door to the skills and opportunities that university offers looks set to be slammed in the face of yet more applicants next year and for many years to come."
NUS and UCU have organised a national demonstration against cuts to further and higher education in central London on Wednesday 10 November 2010.