25,000 fewer people have applied to University to start in September 2017. But why?

Did you know that around 37% of college leavers apply for University? You’re right, that is a lot of 18 year olds packing up their stuff and moving to Uni. Lucky for parents anyway! But for the first time in four years, the number of people applying to university has fallen by 4%. That’s 25,000 people that have been looking at an alternative route into their career... We've put together some reasons why.

Student Loans and University Fees

This is the first decline since fees were last increased in 2012, and with fees set to increase to £9,250 this year University seems to be out of reach for far more people. Not only are fees set to increase, but interest rates are rising from 4.6% to 6.1% this autumn. It is fair to say that the cost of University is one of the only negative points about it (other than the lack of work experience that you get). Really, you make lifelong friends, gain independence and an education that in many ways is unrivalled. That is if you're at one of the top Universities... However, the fact that fees are increasing means more people are searching for alternative routes to getting a degree. Such as degree apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships