| Briefing: UCAS figures and the priority campaign |
| 20/02/2007 |
|
Briefing note: UCAS application statistics February 2007 You will be aware that UCAS released initial application statistics on February 14th that outlined the rise in university applications for the academic year 2007/08. UCAS’s statistics show that applicants for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK have increased by 6.4%. Broken down by nation, this shows that applicants from England increased by 7.1%, applicants from Wales fell by 0.1%, applicants from Scotland showed a 0.9% rise and applicants from Northern Ireland fell by 3.0%. We have welcomed the overall rise in applications as news that prospective students continue to recognise the value of education despite the annual price tag of up to £3,000. However, UCAS have failed to release information regarding applications from students from under-represented and debt averse backgrounds and we are now pushing for these statistics to be made public. This is the real litmus test of the impact of top up fees - a drop in this group would be extremely serious even in the context of an overall increase and would directly contradict the Government’s own widening participation agenda which appears to have stalled. We are concerned that vice chancellors may see these statistics as a green light to lift the cap on fees and have warned them that if this is the case, they should think again. You may also be aware that Universities UK (UUK) released a report into top-up fees on the same day which did little but marginalise fluctuations in admissions by what we believe to be a massaging of the statistics to influence the debate on the cap. While vice chancellors appear to be celebrating the publication of this report, it must not be used alongside the UCAS figures to justify a further marketisation of the HE sector, which NUS believe will ultimately lead to a two-tiered system of higher education and create a cavernous split in the quality of institutions. UUK also highlight the failure of institutions to distribute their bursary pots. This has particularly been the case at more ‘elite’ universities such as those in the Russell Group. We believe that this clearly demonstrates both the lack of accessible information and poor intake of non-traditional students who would be eligible for this support. It is not students’ fault that these bursaries have not been taken up. The confusing nature of the bursary and grants system obviously needs a complete overhaul and the implementation of a national bursary system and we will continue our lobbying efforts for such a change. What this means for the priority campaign It is now more important then ever to step up our lobbying activity at local and national levels. This means that there are two clear priorities for your local campaigning. 1. Bursary evidence We have anecdotal evidence that illustrates poor bursary take up at several institutions. However, to build a strong case for an accessible, uncomplicated, national bursary system, we need to demonstrate exactly how far it’s failed. Please find out from your university how much of its bursary pot has been given out this year and email any relevant information to NUS’ Campaigns Officer, Natalie Brook. If you're not sure where to start, try by contacting your finance director or head of student services. Alternatively, contact your regional organiser. The quicker we have this information, the better, and it may result in an emergency picket outside UUK’s headquarters to demonstrate our concerns – keep an eye out for further information. 2. Lobbying While NUS centrally will be meeting ministers and MPs to press home our concerns, you need to meet with your MP(s), VC and local council. A campaign action pack is available here. Use the arguments laid out above to respond to any queries over the UCAS statistics and let us know how you get on by returning the feedback form. The publication of figures that demonstrate increased university applications must not be seen as an excuse to lift the cap on fees. It is now crucial that the government hears, via MPs, local councils and vice chancellors that we remain opposed to the principle of fees. Your local action and evidence gathering is fundamental to the success of this campaign and in building a united movement for free education. In unity Gemma Tumelty, National President Wes Streeting, Vice President (Education)The Blogs on this site represent the individual views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the policies or practices of the National Union of Students. All links in blogs will open in a new browser window. The permanent URL for this specific blog entry is: http://www.officeronline.org.uk/blogs/admissionimpossible/273928.aspx |
