The University of York has enjoyed an 8.7% increase on the number of home undergraduate applications for study at the University this year. Across the spectrum of subjects application figures have held up, increasing at a higher rate than the national average.
University Secretary and Registrar David Duncan told Vision: “We are very encouraged that applications from home undergraduates have risen by 8.7% – well ahead of the national average. This may suggest a continued flight to quality institutions in the new fees environment. Our improved standing in the national student survey and in employability indicators may also be factors.”
The news comes at a time when a number of Russell Group Universities are set to take in students through clearing for the first time. The University of York however is not expecting to have to accept more students than usual through clearing this year, although they will make use of the system in some subjects.
On the matter Duncan said: “We will probably enter clearing in a few areas and will also seek to attract students through ‘adjustment’ – the process by which students who achieve better grades than they expected can ‘trade up’ to institutions with higher entry requirements.”
York appears not to have been significantly affected by the new undergraduate admissions rules introduced last year, which left some Russell Group institutions with hundreds of unfilled places for the past academic year.
Sheffield University is set to run a clearing campaign for the first time ever over the coming weeks, whilst notable institutions such as University of London, Warwick and Manchester are set to accept students through clearing.
The University of York though are hopeful that application figures will continue to rise, and Duncan added: “For next year, we have already held the first of our open days, which attracted more prospective students than ever. This bodes well for 2014 and beyond.”
Second year History student Mark Normington told Vision: “It’s a testament to the standard of the University that it has managed to achieve this increase in the number of home student applications despite the recent fee increase.”