The UCAS data dashboard provides details of the number of applications to UK providers made before the 30 June deadline – the last point in the admissions cycle when applicants can make up to five choices. Figures can be broken down by a range of characteristics. Separate data has also been published by UCAS on rates of offer-making by universities and colleges to candidates who applied before the January equal consideration deadline.
The Unite/HEPI Applicant Index, covered by the last four bullet points, is based on a survey of 2,331 higher education applicants planning to start an undergraduate degree or degree apprenticeship in the 2025-26 academic year. It tracks university applicants’ attitudes, offering UK universities an indicator of what to expect when students arrive in the autumn.
The June 30 deadline data can be found here.
The offer-making data can be found at: UK universities and colleges see record numbers of UK 18-year-old-applicants | UCAS
The Unite/HEPI Applicant Index can be found at: Unite Students Applicant Index shows student wellbeing surpasses pre-pandemic levels for the first time – HEPI
At-a-glance:
- The number of UK 18-year-old applicants by 30 June has reached a record high of 328,390, up 2.2 per cent compared to the same point last year. Overall, the total number of applicants has risen to 665,070, a 1.3 per cent increase on 2024
- 138,460 international undergraduate applications have been through UCAS, an increase of 2.2 per cent compared to the same point last year. The data shows a new record number of applicants from China, up by 10 per cent (up to 33,870 applicants compared with 30,860 in 2024), as well as year-on-year increases in applicants from Ireland (+15 per cent), Nigeria (+23 per cent) and the USA (+14 per cent)
- Higher tariff universities are the main beneficiaries of the increase in applications, with a 5 per cent increase. Medium tariff applications are the same as last year, while lower tariff institutions saw a drop of 2 per cent. On international student numbers, higher tariff institutions were up 6 per cent, with medium and lower tariff experiencing drops of 7 and 4 per cent respectively
- 94.5 per cent of all students who applied before the January deadline have received at least one offer from a university or college
- While the number of UK 18-year-olds applicants has increased, there has been a decrease in demand from UK mature students (aged 21+) – 86,310 have applied, down from 89,690 in 2024 (-3.8 per cent)
- Figures show an increase in the number of applicants from all nations in the UK, except for Wales, which has seen a decline of 0.6 per cent. The number of applicants from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have increased by 1.1 per cent 1.3 per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively
- STEM subjects remain top of mind for UK 18-year-olds – the number of applications to study engineering and technology is up 13 per cent (from 105,590 in 2024 to 118,840 in 2025) while mathematical sciences is up 6 per cent (from 32,320 in 2024 to 34,330 in 2025)
- The number of 18-year-old applicants in quintiles 1 of the various national measures of disadvantage rose in England (1.5 per cent), Wales (4.3 per cent), Scotland (5.2 per cent) and Northern Ireland (1.6 per cent)
- This year’s applicants feel more optimistic than last year’s. Nearly three quartersfeel confident about living independently at university, up 2 per cent on last year, while 77 per cent say that they are confident making decisions for themselves. Positive responses to questions of academic confidence also increased from an average of 69 per cent last year to 71 per cent this year (p29)
- The vast majority of applicants (89 per cent) expected to work alongside their studies during term time (p12)
- International applicants are more confident in almost every area than their UK counterparts. They have better overall wellbeing and are less likely to report a disability, neurodivergent condition or mental health condition (p7)
- 13 per cent of respondents have ADHD compared to 10 per cent in 2024, with a similar rise in applicants with autism spectrum condition. However, applicants reporting a mental health condition decreased from 19 per cent to 17 per cent (p22)
Implications for governance:
The record number of university and college applicants this year will be welcomed across the sector and reflects continued confidence in higher education despite ongoing concerns about financial sustainability.
Interest from UK 18-year-olds has risen compared to last year, with the increase almost entirely locked in by the January deadline point.
However, if compared to the overall growth in the 18-year-old population, the data shows a marginal decline again this year – down to 41.2 per cent from 41.9 per cent in 2024.
The historically strong growth in the propensity of UK 18-year-olds to apply for HE, which had been apparent across the last decade, has plateaued, according to Maggie Smart, UCAS director of data and analysis.
International student applications have risen, with 138,460 international applicants compared to 135,460 in 2024, an increase of 2.2 per cent (although this stood at 2.7 per cent in January). Of course, this is only a partial view of international undergraduate interest and does not cover postgraduate applications.
The overall boost in applicant numbers has not been uniform across institutions or nations. Wales saw a slight drop in interest, and while higher tariff universities saw big increases in demand – particularly from international students – by contrast lower tariff institutions saw a drop in interest from all groups of applicants.
Governors will be cognisant of the impact of variations in student numbers at a time when finances are under significant pressure. Boards may want to consider how their institutions are performing against national and sub-group application figures, and what further steps can be put in place over the summer to ensure student numbers are maximised.
Demand for STEM subjects has increased considerably this year, continuing a recent trend. Meanwhile languages and creative arts courses saw a further downturn in interest, which could have implications for some courses or departments which are already struggling in the current climate.
The increase in applicants from disadvantaged areas, while encouraging, is slight, suggesting there is still work to explore in widening participation and access. The most advantaged students are still 2.15 times more likely to apply to HE than those from the least advantaged backgrounds.
In response to the increase in applications this year, there has been an uplift in main scheme offers, to a record 2 million. The most notable rise is for higher tariff providers – up 3.2 percentage points to 64.4 per cent this year. Offer rates by medium and lower tariff providers have also increased, by 0.9 percentage points to 77 per cent among medium tariff providers, and by 1.5 percentage points to 81.7 per cent among lower tariff providers.
Other good news for the sector is contained in the Unite Students/HEPI student index for 2025. Confidence and wellbeing levels among those applying to university are higher than last year, with young people feeling more supported by family and friends, more assured of their academic and financial capabilities and more resilient.
Governors may be interested to note that those taking part in the index reported higher rates of ADHD and autism than last year. Ensuring that undergraduates with neurodiversity thrive is an increasing priority and boards may want to be assured that measures are in place to provide the necessary support and signposting to the incoming 2025/26 cohort of students.
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