In the news

UK applications have dropped, as fees rise. UCAS figures show that, by the applications deadline of 15 January, applications are down by 8.7% from UK students for courses starting in September, when tuition fees may be as much as £9000 pa. Applications to English universities have fallen even further − by 9.9% − while in Scotland (where Scottish students do not pay tuition fees) they are only down by 1.5%. It also looks as if more UK students are applying to overseas universities with substantially lower tuition fees. The 1994 Group of research intensive universities says that some students have obviously been wary of applying this year