Record numbers of students accepted through Clearing

Today, UCAS publishes the latest acceptance figures for the 2018 application cycle, as of 28 days after A level results day. Typically, 95% of students who will be accepted by the end of the cycle, have already been placed at this point.

The analysis shows the following:

• In England, a record 33.5% of the 18 year old population have now been accepted through UCAS.
  In Wales, 29.5% of young people will be starting an undergraduate course, equalling the record from 2016.
  In Northern Ireland, the entry rate has reached a five year high of 35.4%.
  In Scotland, 26.2% of all 18 year olds have now been accepted, another record.

• 60,100 people have been accepted through Clearing in total so far, 150 more than the equivalent point last year, and a new record. Of those, 45,690 people were placed after applying through the main scheme (compared to 46,310 in 2017), and a record 14,410 applied directly to Clearing (compared to 13,640 at the same point last year).

• A total of 30,350 EU students have been accepted (up 2% on 2017), alongside a record 38,330 (up 4% from outside the EU.

• The total number of UK applicants now placed is 426,730, down 3% on 2017, although this comes alongside a 2.5% drop in the number of 18 year olds in the UK population.

• 495,410 people are now placed in full-time UK higher education through UCAS so far, a decrease of 2% on the same point last year.

A full set of statistical reports can be viewed on the UCAS Website, alongside a interactive data explorer, which allow users to visualise and tailor the reporting.

Clare Marchant, UCAS’ Chief Executive, said: "As many students are enjoying freshers’ weeks across the country, meeting new faces, and settling into university life, this year’s admissions cycle is nearly complete.

"The highest ever proportions of young people from England, Scotland, and Wales have been accepted, and record numbers of people have a place after applying through Clearing, with their exam results in hand.

"The enduring global appeal of studying an undergraduate degree in the UK is clear from the growth in international students with a confirmed place, both from within and outside of the EU.

"The overall fall in acceptances reflects the ongoing decline in the total number of 18 year olds in the UK’s population, which will continue for the next few years, and follows similar patterns to application trends seen earlier in the year."

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