Bumper year for UCAS applications

Posted 10 February 2010

Harper Adams has received a 50% increase in the amount of applications through UCAS compared with the same point last year.

Headline figures have shown another record year for applicants to higher education, with an impressive increase for the University College. Additionally, applications to study Agriculture have increased by 35% and 53% for Honours and Foundation Degree programmes, respectively.

Academic Registrar, Dr Noel Morrison, said: “As the figures show, Harper Adams is becoming an increasingly popular choice for undergraduate study. This reflects our reputation for delivering a high quality student experience and the very high employability rates of our graduates.

“The fact that applications for our agriculture courses have significantly increased also demonstrates the growing confidence within the land based sector about the future vitality of the rural economy.
 
“While we now have very few places available for admission in 2010, it is never too early to start planning ahead for 2011 with our new prospectus now available.

UCAS Chief Executive, Mary Curnock Cook, believes that this cycle will prove very challenging for students hoping to enter the higher education sector.

She said: “It is clear that once again we have seen a significant rise in applications which leaves us in no doubt that, as last year, this cycle will be very competitive for applicants.

“There are some systemic changes affecting the figures but we could also conclude that the current economic situation is causing people to apply to higher education as a way of re-training to ready themselves for the job market once the economy picks up.”

These figures also show that applicants to higher education remain undeterred by the Government’s restriction of student numbers for 2010-11.