HEPI/Unite Students Applicant Index 2024 and UCAS 30 June deadline application figures

UCAS data shows the number of applications made to higher education this year before the 30 June deadline, which can be broken down by domicile, age, gender, ethnicity, disadvantage and subject. The Unite Students Index gives an indication of the attitudes and experiences of these applicants before starting university. It is based on a survey of 2,190 young people, conducted in April, who plan to start an undergraduate degree or degree apprenticeship in the autumn, and is weighted to be representative of the applicant population. The Index combines responses to 36 questions, each measured on a 7-point scale of agreement, to generate nine composite scores in areas such as finance, learning, employment and community. 

The UCAS data can be found here

The Unite Students index can be found here

At-a-glance:

• UCAS June deadline figures show the total number of applicants to UK higher education courses fell by 10,890 to 656,760, a drop of 1.6 per cent on this time last year. However, UK 18-year-olds applicants rose by 1,840 to 321,410 (UCAS)
• The number of international applicants dropped by 2,590 to 135,460 (UCAS) (-1.9 per cent)
• The number of applicants from backgrounds with free school meals entitlement increased by over 10 per cent to just over 19,000. However, those from low participation neighbourhoods POLAR 4, quintiles 1 and 2 fell slightly (UCAS)
• Subject areas with increases in applications compared to last year included engineering and technology (with the biggest rise of 6.7 per cent), maths, physical sciences, computing, law and agriculture, food and related studies (UCAS)
• Applicants to design, and creative and performing arts dropped by 7.5 per cent, while social sciences applications fell by 5 per cent (UCAS)
• In the Index survey, two in five applicants strongly agree they are confident about getting the job they desire after graduation: up 6 percentage points from last year. In total, 63 per cent are confident about their employability after graduation, up from 61 per cent in 2023 (Index p32)
• A substantial majority (70 per cent) have been in paid part-time work over the last two years (Index p14)
• More than a third (36 per cent) of young people report being absent from school due to their mental health, with almost one-in-10 having been absent for four or more weeks. Among those who reported having school absences, 43 per cent expect to miss lectures at university because of the issue (Index p31)
• On practical life skills like cooking, laundry, cleaning and relationship skills – such as managing conflict or helping a friend in distress – this year's cohort are less confident than last year's. However, more than two-thirds feel confident about their independence (including self-assurance related to starting university and accessing support) (Index p34)
• Over a quarter of UK applicants (27 per cent) identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Pansexual or Non-Binary. Two-thirds say they will share this information with their university, compared to just over half in 2023 (Index p22)
• Scores on a number of indicators differ depending on socio-economic disadvantage. For instance, there was a 25 percentage point difference in the proportion of respondents who said they have good relationships with family and friends between socioeconomic group A (83 per cent ) and group E (58 per cent). Responses on loneliness also differed dramatically between socioeconomic group A (22 per cent) and group E (54 per cent). Those with a disability or health condition were also more likely to report being lonely (Index p19)
• Working class applicants are much less confident of their welcome and sense of belonging at university compared to their more affluent peers (Index p22)
• 43 per cent of applicants – and almost half of male applicants (47 per cent) – think they will struggle to keep up with other students compared with 35 per cent in 2023 (Index p28)

Implications for governance:

The UCAS application figures show that while university is still the destination of choice for many, the increase in the proportion of 18 year olds in the UK is not having as significant an impact as predicated.

A drop of nearly 2 percentage points in international undergraduate applicants will also be a concern for universities, given the importance of overseas fees to many institutions’ finances. The International postgraduate market is more important for most universities and the indications from research such as that cited in Migration Advisory Committee report in May are that numbers here are also likely to be down compared to the proportions recruited prior to rules changes on student dependents.

UCAS subject choice data shows a boost to STEM subjects with higher earning potential. Once again, arts subjects popularity is declining. Universities facing financial difficulties may face hard decisions on their portfolios of courses as demand fluctuates. The data gives governors an opportunity to compare their own figures to the national picture.

Alongside the raw UCAS data, the Unite Students Applicants Index gives universities an indicator of what to expect when students arrive in the autumn.

It paints a picture of a cohort still impacted by their Covid lockdown experiences with significant numbers – 36 per cent – missing school due to mental health issues. Almost one-in-10 were absent for more than a month because of it. Perhaps unsurprisingly then, respondents to the survey report lacking confidence in their ability to cope with university study and life on campus. The data makes it even more imperative that institutions have in place the support – both academic and pastoral – to help this cohort of students feel that they belong at university and can thrive. Students’ wellbeing and progression has been a major focus for governing boards and they may want to take the opportunity to consider if services have the resources to be effective and responsive enough to meet students needs. 

The index demonstrates that different groups may have different and varying levels of need – whether it be disadvantaged, disabled, international or LGBT students. It is important that institutions have processes in place to identify students that may be at risk or struggling and provide timely services and safety nets where they are needed most. 

For a significant proportion of young people who feel they do not have the kinds of relationships with family and friends that they can count on, this support will be imperative. The vulnerabilities revealed in the survey have the potential to impact negatively on the thresholds universities need to meet the B3 conditions of registration.

One positive highlighted by the Index is young people’s attitude to employment. The cost of living crisis has led to more teenagers working in part time jobs, with 70 per cent of respondents saying they have undertaken paid work. The Advance HE/HEPI student experience survey this year suggests that many will work during their degree courses.

This experience in the work place seems to have boosted perceptions of their own employability skills, with 63 per cent feeling confident about their employability after graduation, and two in five strongly agreeing that they feel confident about the getting the job they want after graduation.

Universities will be keen to give these students all the help they need in realising these ambitions -- and as student outcomes become an even more important focus, governing boards will be keen to support their institutions in ensuring employability continues to be high on the agenda.