The University of Cumbria has seen a slight decrease (-3%) in applications from 2011, a year which saw an 'application boom' in the HE marketplace due to the changes in student fees. However, compared to 2010, a much more representative year for applications, the university has seen a rise of +2.4% overall.
Alongside the HE sector as a whole the university's applications have slowed. However, University of Cumbria results are still ahead of the sector overall and up 7% on the university's competitor institutions.
To date the university has only had 19 fewer applicants than at the same point in 2011 suggesting that students are more focused on their programme choice during a year where UCAS has had 43,473 less applicants in the UCAS system.
Professor Sandra Jowett, Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic) said:
"This is really just a pen picture at this stage in the admissions cycle however University of Cumbria's application figures are looking good. Of course last year was an exceptional year for the sector so we would expect a slight decrease on last year's figures but our application figures compared to 2010, a more comparable year, have increased which is really good news. This is particularly pleasing after we've reshaped our portfolio of courses so have fewer programmes for students to apply to."
The university's applications from home and overseas students continues to rise and the institution has received more applications for HEFCE funded programmes in a year when the national average for these programmes has dramatically declined.
Professor Jowett continues:
"For any student considering higher education it’s important to remember that there are still options available and time to apply so I would urge anyone considering embarking on a degree or any other programme to contact us and discuss these options."
Posted on Tuesday 31 January 2012