Birmingham universities experience a boom in applications

Feb 18 2009 by Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail

SCHOOL leavers are flocking to Birmingham’s universities in increasing numbers as they choose education over the recession-hit jobs market.

The city’s three main universities have all reported a boom in applications which has also been reflected nationally.

Birmingham City University led the way by reporting a rise in student applications for full-time degree study of 34.2 per cent to 18,792 – one of the largest leaps in the country.

Secretary and registrar Maxine Penlington said: “The university is fast becoming the first choice for students who value a professional and practice-based education and recognise our growing reputation for creative and professional practice.

“The swell in applications is down to our portfolio of excellent courses, our first-rate staff and the investment we have made in facilities for teaching and learning.”

The University of Birmingham also achieved a big rise in student applications of 9.7 per cent, while Aston University reported 12,830 applications for 2,000 places by February 1, an increase of 2.3 per cent.

An Aston spokesman said many courses were significantly up, including engineering, English language, biomedical science, chemistry and law.

Universities UK, which represents heads of universities, welcomed the growth in applications but called on the Government for financial support.

Nationally, admissions service UCAS said there had been a 7.8 per cent increase in the number of people applying for a full-time undergraduate course by the deadline of January 15, up by 33,678 to 464,167.

Higher Education Minister David Lammy said: “It is clear even in these more challenging times people recognise the value of a degree and the investment in their future career.”