1. UCAS 2009 figures reveal record-breaking levels of applicants
Figures released by UCAS on 21 January show that the number of applicants accepted into universities and colleges in 2009 was up by 5.5%.
Worryingly, though, the available student places have failed to keep pace with an 8.7% increase in applications.
The UCAS figures also show a dramatic rise in mature applicants, with a 14.7% rise in applicants aged 21-24, and a rise of 15.8% in applicants over the age of 25.
In total, 524,151 people have so far applied to start courses this autumn, compared with 481,784 at the same point last year.
NUS President Wes Streeting commented that “It is encouraging to see a record-breaking number of students being accepted into universities, but it is concerning that so many students with the ability to go to university were not able to as a result of the cap imposed on student numbers last year."
“Applicants of all ages are clearly making the correct assessment that it is better to invest now in their education and training. We understand the current pressures on public finances, but the Government must also make the right long-term decisions. It is surely better to bear the cost of additional university places now than to shoulder the burden of disappointment and long-term unemployment later.”
2. NUS Wales warns against education funding cuts
The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales- responsible for funding Welsh universities- is to raise the possibility of compulsory redundancies and fewer courses courses because of a cash squeeze, NUS Wales has warned.
NUS Wales President Katy Dalton noted that "other departments across the Assembly Government's powers have been asked to make 1.6% efficiency savings and education has been asked to make 5% savings. Sector bodies across higher education, the academic lecturers' union and ourselves have raised questions about this and I know that Opposition parties did challenge this when it came through the Assembly."
3. EDM on the Review of Student Visas
An Early Day Motion (EDM) was tabled on 19 January by David Lepper MP welcoming the Prime Minister’s assurance that all students who come to the UK legitimately would be made welcome, and that legitimate colleges would be protected and supported.
It additionally calls on the Secretaries of State for the Home Department and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to ensure that any recommendations for change to the student visa system made following the review which began in November 2009 "support rather than damage existing legitimate courses and the properly accredited and registered schools and colleges offering them.”
4. Parliamentary Questions
Moon - Higher education (finance)
Thursday 21 January 2010 | House of Commons - Written Answer
Mrs. Moon: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much grant funding has been provided to higher education institutions by the (a) Arts and Humanities Research Council, (b) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, (c) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, (d) Economic and Social Research Council, (e) Medical Research Council, (f) Natural Environment Research 20 Jan 2010 : Column 406W Council, (g) Science and Technology Facilities Council and (h) Higher Education Funding Council for England in each of the last five years.
Mr. Lammy: The following table provides the details of the grant funding from the above bodies to higher education institutions (HEIs) for the five financial years from 2004-05 to 2008-09.
Research Council academic grants to HEIs exclude studentships and doctoral training grants. Higher Education Funding Council for England total grant covers recurrent grant, non-recurrent grant, and other ring fenced allocations.
Williams, S - Higher education (admissions)
Thursday 21 January 2010 | House of Commons - Written Answer
Stephen Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of undergraduates studying (a) part-time and (b) full-time were from low participation neighbourhoods in each of the last five years.
Mr. Lammy: The latest available information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is provided in the table. Figures are provided for young (under 21) and mature (21 and over) part-time and full-time undergraduate entrants to higher education institutions in England, for the academic years 2006/07 and 2007/08. Figures for earlier academic years are not directly comparable, due to a change in the methodology used to calculate the proportion of students who are from low participation neighbourhoods.
Information for the 2008/09 academic year will be available from HESA in April.