In response to today's publication of UCAS application information, Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said: “It's too early to read into these figures at the very start of the applications process. Historically, the application figures at the end of October have proven to be unreliable indicators of the final numbers. It may also be that students are taking longer this year to consider their options.

“Today’s figures include numbers applying for courses with 15 October deadlines [Oxbridge, dentistry, veterinary and medicine], which form a very small portion of overall applications. The rates of application for this deadline are in line with expectations, only down 0.8 per cent.

“Most importantly, we must not risk presenting skewed readings of statistics and risk putting off potential students from applying.

“Higher education will see major changes from 2012 and universities are still having to respond to proposals introduced in the recent government White Paper.”

Notes

1. Applicant figures for 2012 as of Wednesday 19 October 2011 are now available on the UCAS website