Applications to the University for 2012 Entry have fallen by 11% compared with last year, with the overall sector seeing a fall of 8.7%. The University has raised its entry standards in a number of subject areas for 2012 Entry and the drop in numbers applying for this year can be partly attributed to this change.
The sector faces a challenging time with the introduction of the new fees system later this year creating a competitive market for students in the UK. Applications to comparable universities including Manchester, Warwick and Kings College London have also fallen, by 10%.
However, while the University has seen a drop in UK applications, the number of undergraduate students applying from overseas has increased by 8%. This increase is mirrored in postgraduate applications from overseas, which have seen an increase of 40%.
Claire Brown, Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions (SRAO), said: “We will be working with departments over the coming months to support promotional activities including post-application visit days, aimed at prospective students who are now holding offers for the University for 2012 Entry. In 2011, 40% of those who attended visit days (managed centrally) firmly accepted the University’s offer, compared with 18% of non-attendees and so these events are critical conversion activity.”
SRAO is already planning its communications strategy and schools liaison strategy for 2013 Entry which will include an outdoor campaign to raise the profile of the University alongside proposed developments to our schools and colleges recruitment strategy.