Top 30 Latest UCAS Statistics and Data For UK Universities

Top 30 Latest UCAS Statistics and Data For UK Universities

Alan Withworth

Discover the most up-to-date data on UCAS statistics and university applications across the UK.  

We break down the key UCAS statistics for 2023 entry, including application rates, demographics, and trends. 

The top 30 UCAS statistics and data for undergraduate applications received for the upcoming academic year.

Overall Undergraduate Applicants:

The total number of UCAS undergraduate applicants by the June 2023 deadline reached 619,290, representing a moderate 2.5% increase compared to 2022. However, the application rate among 18-year-olds dropped 4.3% year-over-year to 28.3% for this demographic.

When segmented by geography, the number of applicants from EU countries declined by 3.3% compared to last year, reflecting the ongoing impacts of Brexit.

  1. Total Applicants (June 2023 Deadline): 619,290 (2.5% increase from 2022)
  2. 18-Year-Old Application Rate: 28.3% (4.3% decrease from 2022)
  3. EU Applicants: Down 3.3% compared to 2022
  4. Non-EU Applicants: Up 2.4% compared to 2022
  5. Top 5 Sending Countries: 
CountryNumber Applicants
China30,700
India12,910
USA9,170
Nigeria5,450
UAE5,130
Top 5 countries with the most UCAS applicants

UCAS Undergraduate Applications by Subject:

  1. Most Popular Subject Group (HECoS): Business and Law (15.8% of applications)
  2. Other Top Subject Groups: Medicine and Dentistry (13.3%), Humanities (13.1%), Creative Arts and Design (12.7%), Education (12.4%)
  3. Subject Group with Largest Increase: Computing (5.7% increase)
  4. Subject Group with Largest Decrease: Modern Languages (4.1% decrease)

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University Offers and Placements:

  1. Total Offers Made: 603,580 (1.9% increase from 2022)
  2. Offer Rate: 97.5% (0.2% decrease from 2022)
  3. Total Placed Students: 481,190 (2.1% increase from 2022)
  4. Placement Rate: 77.7% (0.1% increase from 2022)
  5. Top 5 Destinations for Placed Students: England (78%), Wales (6%), Scotland (5%), Northern Ireland (3%), Republic of Ireland (2%)

Diversity and Inclusion of Students:

  1. Applicants from Deprived Areas (POLAR4 Quintile 1): 19.8% (decrease from 2022)
  2. The gap in Application Rates Between the Highest and Lowest Deprivation Areas: 14.7 percentage points
  3. BAME Applicants: 26.5% (increase from 2022)
  4. Female Applicants: 56.1% (a slight decrease from 2022)

International Student Applications

The total number of international undergraduate applicants reached 138,050 in 2023, a 2.4% increase over 2022. Growth is driven by non-EU countries, which saw a 6.3% rise in applicants.

China remains the largest sender of international students, although applications from China decreased 2% compared to last year. India held its spot as the second leading sender, with 9% growth in applicants.

The fastest growth came from the UAE, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the USA, and Hong Kong. Each country posted double-digit percentage increases in students applying to UK universities.

  1. Total International Student Applicants: 138,050 (2.4% increase from 2022)
  2. Growth Driven by Non-EU Countries: Up 6.3% compared to 2022
  3. China Still Largest Sending Country: Down 2% Compared to 2022
  4. India Second-Largest Sending Country: Up 9% compared to 2022
  5. Top 5 Growth Countries: UAE, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, USA, Hong Kong

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Other UCAS Application Trends:

  1. Increase in Applications for Nursing and Midwifery Courses: 10.3% increase compared to 2022
  2. Decrease in Applications for Creative Arts and Design Courses: 3.5% decrease compared to 2022
  3. Slight Increase in Deferred Applications: Up 0.5% compared to 2022
  4. Record High Number of Unconditional Offers Made: 11.9% of all offers
  5. Increase in Clearing Activity: Up 3.2% compared to 2022
  6. Growing Demand for Apprenticeships: Applications for higher and degree apprenticeships up 21.6% compared to 2022
  7. Focus on Sustainability and Climate Change: Increasing number of courses offered in these areas

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