2016/17 Uni Applications Increase: UK applicants fall, EU applicants rise
- Number of EU students applying to study in the UK increases 6%; non-EU student figures increase 1% (UCAS)
- Overseas students’ demands supported by growing luxury student accommodation market (Collegiate AC)
- Chinese students largest non-UK demographic at UK universities (UCAS)
- Greatest increase in number of students from Ecuador, increasing 130% (UCAS)
With the passing of the annual January deadline for university applications, UCAS has released statistics that not only reveal the numbers of students applying for the 2016/17 academic year but also, interestingly, where they are coming from. The new figures show that once again, for the fourth year in a row, the number of students looking to study in the UK have risen, this year by 0.2%, taking 2016/17 figures to 593,720.
However, whilst the numbers of UK students applying to study at a higher education institution in their home country has decreased slightly year-on-year (down by 0.3%), the number of EU applicants (excluding UK) has risen by 6% on 2015/16 figures to today’s 45,220. Alongside this, non-EU applicant levels have risen by 1%, taking figures to 52,560.
Such students have their own particular demands when it comes to studying in the UK, many of which extend into the type of accommodation that they are searching for. Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC, the leading provider of luxury student accommodation in the UK, explains more,
“Making the move to study in the UK can be daunting for international students and this is where accommodation that provides additional facilities comes in to ease the transition. The shared social spaces of on-site cinemas, luxury lounges or private gyms encourages the making of new friends from the off. The support of an on-site concierge and electronic door entry systems, for example, can also be just what is needed to provide a sense of security and reassurance for those students arriving in the UK and their families at home.”
As current UCAS figures reveal, Chinese students make up the largest non-UK demographic studying at higher education institutions in the United Kingdom, with 9,000 students from China applying for the 2016/17 academic year. This is followed by students from Hong Kong (5,180) in second place, students from Ireland in third (4,750), and those from France and Italy making up the remainder of the top five, with 4,650 and 4,270 students applying respectively.
Yet this is not all the new figures show. They also unveil which nations have seen the largest growth in the numbers of students applying to study in the UK. Within Europe, Croatia takes the lead, with an impressive 45% increase year-on-year in students submitting an application to study at a UK university. This is followed by Slovakia (with a 39% increase) and the Czech Republic (with a 34% increase).
Lebanon is the Asian country with the largest year-on-year growth in students looking to study in the UK, with 41% more applying for 2016/17 compared to 2015/16. Turkish students take second place in terms of percentage growth in Asia, with 25%, and students from Qatar in third, with a 17% increase. Uganda and Egypt share the top spot for African nations applying through UCAS to study on UK soil, both nations having witnessed a 14% increase from last year’s figures. Second place is taken by South Africa with 11% and third place by Zimbabwe with 7% growth.
In North America, the Cayman Islands take the lead, with 20% more of its students applying to UK universities for the coming year, according to UCAS, with Mexico (at an 18% increase) and Bermuda (seeing a 17% increase) following close behind. The only growth in Oceania is seen from New Zealand, wherein 12% more students are applying to study in UK universities this September. South America’s top spot is taken by Ecuador from where a huge 130% more students have put in applications for UK study in the 2016/17 academic year.
As Cuanalo has indicated, these increasing figures of overseas students looking to study in the UK from later this year, is set to have a knock-on effect on the student property market, with a growing interest in luxurious student properties that offer the extra touches that make studying in a foreign country easier and hassle-free. He says,
“In line with the new UCAS figures, we have also noticed the same growing demand from overseas students, with over half of our properties for 2016/17 being taken by non-EU students and 0.4% more EU students signing up for our luxury student accommodation this year compared to last. In line with this, we are launching eleven new properties to fulfil the growing need and are already seeing great interest from overseas students, both from the EU and beyond.”
Collegiate AC properties are situated throughout the UK in some of the very best university cities, from Edinburgh to Exeter, Southampton to Birmingham, Newcastle to Reading, and many more. Properties boast beautifully-designed interiors alongside excellent additional facilities that include games rooms, on-site gyms, dinner party rooms, in-house cinemas, study rooms and luxury lounges, as well as inclusive billing, free Wi-Fi and high-speed broadband.
For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.