UCU responds to university application figures

Responding to the latest figures from the university applications service UCAS, UCU said that education must be at the heart of any government plans to improve social mobility and help the country in tough economic times. The figures show that, as of 15 January 2009, 464,167 people had applied for a full-time undergraduate course at UK universities and colleges - a rise of 7.8%, or 33,678 applications, on the previous year.
 
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'We strongly believe in the power of education to change people's lives and the government should be applauded for putting education at the heart of its drive to improve social mobility, particularly in tough economic times. However, it needs to understand that people must have access to the right education for their specific requirements.
 
'Historically recessions have seen a rise in university applications and we need to ensure that people have access to the courses that they need. The rise in mature applications, coupled with recent evidence that more people are opting to study closer to home, puts greater pressure on our universities. We believe the government should remove the recent cap on student numbers in a strong gesture that it shares our belief in the power of education as a force for good.'
 
The full figures can be found on the UCAS website.