根據英國大學招生主管機構UCAS的最新數據，今年21歲以上的學生申請本科課程的人數比去年增加13%，數據同時表明，一些新創建的大學也顯示了樂觀的趨勢。 新大學管理機構GuildHE批露說，白金漢新大學的申請人數上升了33%，而伯明翰高等學院的申請人數也增加了30%。

北愛爾蘭的大學也吸引了更多英國學生的申請，雖然北愛大學的費用和英格蘭地區的不相上下，但報名人數依然上漲了17%。

在威爾士，威爾士本地學生和歐盟的學生可以享受優惠價格，而在蘇格蘭，大學為本地學生和歐盟學生免學費，所以來自歐盟的申請學生比去年增加了12%，這或許與經濟形勢不好，大學希望充電有關系。絕大多數的新增學生來自羅馬尼亞和保加利亞，分別比去年增加了72%和58%。而來自其他國家的申請人數也增加了10%。

MORE HOPE TO STUDY AT UNIVERSITY

Within the figures produced by the admissions body Ucas there is a 13% rise in applications from over-21s, and 12% from EU nationals outside the UK.

The figures also suggest that newer universities are no less popular - with some seeing a rise in applications well above the national rate.

GuildHE, which represents some of the newest universities, says applications to study at Buckinghamshire New University are up 33%, with a 30% rise in applicants to University College Birmingham.

Northern Irish institutions are attracting more English applicants than ever before - with a 17% rise in applicants, even though the fees payable there are the same as in England.

Fees are lower in Wales for Welsh and other EU students, while in Scotland most undergraduate degrees are free for Scottish students and other EU students, but ￡1,735 a year for those from elsewhere within the UK.

The percentage of applicants from EU countries applying to UK institutions has risen by 12% overall - and applicants from outside the EU have risen by 10%. The largest percentage increases are in the numbers applying from Romania and Bulgaria - 72% and 58% respectively - though they represent a very small proportion of overall applicants.

（Source: BBC News，英國使館文化教育處提供）