Birkbeck sees increase in undergraduate applications – in contrast to national trend
Birkbeck undergraduate applications for 2017 have increased 19% compared to last year, while UCAS has reported a 4% decrease nationally
- Birkbeck undergraduate applications for 2017 have increased 19% compared to last year
- National figures, released by UCAS on 13 July, show a 4% decrease in 2017 UK applications compared to 2016 and 5% decrease in EU applications
- Applications to Birkbeck from students aged 25 and over have increased 15% in 2017
- Nationally, applications from students aged over 25 have decreased 14%
- Birkbeck’s teaching takes place in the evenings so students are able to combine study with internships, work or family commitments during the day
Birkbeck has seen a 19% increase in applications to full-time undergraduate degree programmes at the close of applications on 30 June 2017, compared to 2016. This is in contrast to the UCAS figures, announced on 13 July 2017, which show a 4% decrease in UK applications to undergraduate degrees at UK universities, and a 5% decrease in applications from EU students.
UCAS also reported a 14% decrease in applications from mature learners aged 25 and over, whereas Birkbeck has seen an increase of 15% from students in this age group.
Professor David Latchman, Master of Birkbeck, said: “The increasing number of students applying to Birkbeck’s evening-taught degree programmes demonstrates that today’s students are increasingly looking to non-traditional models of university study, which will enable them to combine high-quality academic study with the opportunity to develop real-world experience and skills at the same time. Of course, many students also appreciate the financial benefits of being able to combine work and study. Birkbeck’s nearly 200-year history of providing evening teaching means that we are very experienced at supporting students who are combining evening study with other daytime commitments and enabling them to succeed in both their professional and personal ambitions.
“The benefits of being able to pursue internships or employment while studying are demonstrated by the fact that our graduates have some of the highest salaries of UK graduates five years after graduation.
“We are particularly concerned about the national decrease in over-25s applying to study undergraduate degrees. We know that, for this age group, embarking on higher education can be a life-transforming experience, which enables them to forge better futures for themselves and their families. More support needs to be given to prospective students from this age group to ensure they are able to access these opportunities.”
Birkbeck teaches its full- and part-time degree programmes in the evening, enabling students to combine their studies with internships, volunteering or employment throughout their degrees.