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University applications fall 8.9%

Applications to universities from UK students have fallen by 8.9%, according to new statistics from the admissions service.

The 2012 University intake will be the first group to pay the higher tuition fees of up to £9,000 a year.

England witnessed the biggest drop at 10%, indicating that 50,000 fewer people are applying to university compared with the previous year.

Commenting on the figures, Universities Minister David Willetts said that application figures were still the “second highest on record”, and expected that tens of thousands of people will still submit applications.

He said: “This will still be a competitive year like any other as people continue to understand that university remains a good long term investment for their future.”

However, the Government has come under criticism from Labour for their decision to treble tuition fees to £9,000. Labour’s universities spokeswoman, Shabana Mahmood, said it was “hitting young people and their aspirations”.

The biggest fall for the 2012 intake is among the over-18 age group - for example, applications from 19 year olds and those aged between 25 and 29 are down by 12%.

Sally Hunt, leader of the UCU lecturers’ union added: “This government can talk all it likes about improving social mobility but how will erecting punitive financial barriers help our best and brightest get on?”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .