UCAS Applications and Accepted Applications trends
Between 2002 and 2007
1.
Introduction
1.1.
This report provides an overview of UCAS application trends over the last
6 years at the University of Glasgow, and within the UK and Scotland.
1.2.
The purpose of the report is to give an idea of trends, and check how the
trends at the University of Glasgow compare with trends in the UK, and
Scotland as a whole. Direct comparisons between the University of
Glasgow actual application numbers with other Universities application
numbers are not advised because each University has different targets,
and are trying to fill a different number of funded places.
1.3.
Applications include all applications made during the UCAS application
cycle. Several applications can be made by one applicant. For applicants
applying for 2008 entry, each applicant will be allowed a maximum of 5
applications, this will be 1 less than in 2007, so in future reports
application numbers will be expected to drop by 1/6th. This will be evident
when application statistics for 2008 entry are published in 2009.
1.4.
Accepted applications are those applications that are unconditional firm
(UF), as this commits the University and the Student to this application,
and UCAS therefore expect the student to enrol with this University.
1.5.
The report is split into seven sections;
1.
Summary
2.
UCAS applications and accepted applications trends
3.
UCAS applications and accepted applications Domicile
trends
4.
Comparator UCAS applications and accepted applications
trends
5.
Comparator UCAS applications and accepted applications
Domicile trends
6.
The University of Glasgow UCAS applications and accepted
applications by Subject group
7.
The University of Glasgow UCAS applicants applications
elsewhere
2. Summary
2.1.
Applications to the University of Glasgow have not increased in line with
the UK or Scotland over the last six years. Applications to the University
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of Glasgow have fluctuated up and down by on average 2%, while
applications to UK Universities increased by 19% overall, and applications
to Scottish Universities increased by 17% over the last six years.
2.2.
Accepted applications at the University of Glasgow decreased by 4%
overall over the last six years, whereas accepted applications to UK
Universities have increased by 12% over the last six years, and 6% for
Scottish Universities.
2.3.
The University of Glasgow has a higher application to accepted
applications ratio, 6.1, than the UK or Scottish Average of 5.7 and 6
respectively, for 2007 entry applications.
2.4.
The University of Glasgow has a similar profile of Home, EU, Overseas
applications (86%, 8%, 6%), and accepted applications (88%, 7%, 5%) as
the UK applications (86%, 6%, 8%) and accepted applications (88%, 5%,
7%), and Scottish Universities applications (84%, 10%, 6%) and accepted
applications (84%, 9%, 7%).
2.5.
Applications and accepted applications from EU students to the University
of Glasgow increased significantly between 2002 and 2006, applications
increased by 113%, and EU accepted applications increased by 138%.
While accepted EU applications have continued to increase in 2007, EU
applications have gone down by 4%. EU applications to UK Universities
have increase continually over the last six years by a total of 95%, and by
129% for Scotland. EU accepted applications to the University of
Glasgow increased by 181% over the last six years compared with an
increase of 72% for the UK and 103% for Scotland.
2.6.
Overseas applications and accepted applications at the University of
Glasgow have not kept pace with the significant increases in overseas
applications and accepted applications for the average increases in UK
and Scottish Universities. Overseas applications to the University of
Glasgow have decreased over the last six years by 2% compared with an
increase of 19% for the UK and 35% for Scotland. Overseas accepted
applications to the University of Glasgow have also fallen of the last six
years by 3% whereas they increase by 16% for the UK and 71% for
Scotland.
2.7.
The University of Glasgow’s applications to accepted applications ratio
has fallen in 2007 for EU students (7.2 applications per 1 accepted
application) to be more in line with the average UK (7.0 applications per 1
accepted application) and Scottish Universities (6.5 applications per 1
accepted application) EU applications to accepted applications ratio. In
previous years the University of Glasgow’s applications to accepted
applications ratio was higher than the UK or Scottish average.
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2.8.
Just over a half of applications to the University of Glasgow were to
Biological Sciences, Medicine & Dentistry, Engineering, Education,
Business & Admin studies, Subjects allied to Medicine, and Physical
Sciences.
2.9.
Just over a half of accepted applications at the University of Glasgow were
to Biological Sciences, Engineering, Medicine & Dentistry, Physical
Sciences, Subjects allied to Medicine, and combined arts.
2.10. The top five other Universities that the University of Glasgow applicants
applied to for 2007 entry included; The Universities of Edinburgh,
Strathclyde, Aberdeen, Glasgow Caledonian and Dundee.
3. UCAS applications and accepted applications trends (Appendix A –
Tables 1.1. to 2.3 and Chart 1.a. to 2.c.)
3.1.
The University of Glasgow UCAS applications and accepted
applications trends (Table 1.1. & Chart 1.a.)
3.1.1. The University of Glasgow UCAS applications and accepted applications
haven’t changed much over the last six years.
3.1.2. There has been no significant change in the number of applications over
the last six years. There was a slight downward trend between 2002 and
2004, when applications fell by 4% from 27,144 to 26,130. Then a slight
upward trend between 2004 and 2006, when applications increased by
6%, from 26,130 to 27,634. Followed by a slight downward trend between
2006 and 2007, when applications fell by 3% from 27,634 to 26,695.
3.1.3. The number of applications being accepted fell by 9% between 2002 and
2005 from 4,565 to 4,150, and then slightly increased from 2005 to 2007
by 5% from 4,150 to 4,360. However, there was only been a very slight
change in the percentage of applications being accepted each year.
Between 2002 and 2004, 17% of applications were accepted. This
decreased to 15% of applications being accepted between 2004 and
2006, while in 2007 16% of applications were accepted.
3.1.4. The applications to accepted applications ratio therefore increased slightly
between 2002 and 2006, and fell again in 2007. In 2002 on average 5.9
applications were required to get 1 accepted application. In 2007 on
average 6.1 applications were required to get 1 accepted application.
Therefore, for each accepted applications in 2007 the University of
Glasgow on average received 6.1 applications compared with 5.9 in 2002.
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3.2.
UK Universities UCAS applications and accepted applications trends
(Table 1.2. & Chart 1.b.)
3.2.1 In terms of all UK Universities the number of applications has increased
between 2002 and 2007, by 19% from 1,978,659 to 2,355,069.
3.2.2. There was also a slight increase in accepted applications between 2002
and 2007 by 12% from 368,115 to 413,430. There was almost no change
in the percentage of applications being accepted each year, each year
18% of applications were accepted.
3.2.3. UK Applications to accepted applications ratios have remained consistent
over the last six year, for every 1 accepted application there were roughly
6 applications.
3.3.
Scottish Universities UCAS applications and accepted applications
trends (Table 1.3. & Chart 1.c.)
3.3.1. In terms of all Scottish Universities the number of applications has steadily
increased over the last six years, by a total of 17% from 185,466 to
216,237.
3.3.2. There was an increase in accepted applications between 2002 and 2007
of 6% from 34,258 to 36,475. There was only a very slight change in the
percentage of applications being accepted each year. Each year
approximately 17% of applications were accepted.
3.3.3. Scottish University applications to accepted applications ratios have only
slightly increased over the last five year, but on average each year roughly
6 applications were made for every 1 accepted application.
4.
4.1.
UCAS applications and accepted applications Domicile trends
(Appendix A – Tables 3.1. to 4.9. and Chart 3.a. to 3.f.)
The University of Glasgow UCAS applications and accepted
applications Domicile trends
4.1.1. In 2007 applications at the University of Glasgow were split 86% home,
8% EU, and 6% overseas, and accepted applications were split 88%
home, 7% EU, and 5% overseas.
4.1.2. There hasn’t been a significant change in Home applications. There was
an overall decrease in Home applications by 6% between 2002 and 2007,
within which there was a decrease between 2002 and 2004 of 6%, a slight
increase in 2005 of 5%, and a further decrease from 2005 to 2007 of 5%.
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4.1.3. There was been a constant decline in Home accepted applications
between 2002 and 2006, where Home accepted applications fell by 11%,
from 4,214 to 3,753. There has been an increase in Home accepted
applications in 2007, of 6%, from 3,753 to 3,823.
4.1.4. There hasn’t been a significant change in applications to accepted
applications ratios for Home applicants. There was a slight increase in the
number of applications required to get one accepted application reflecting
the fall in accepted applications.
4.1.5. There has been a significant change in EU applications. There was an
over all increase in EU applications by 113% between 2002 and 2006,
from 1,062 to 2,259. From 2003 to 2006 the increase in EU applications
was significant. There was slight decrease in 2007 of 4%, from 2,259 to
2,170.
4.1.6. There has been a significant increase in EU accepted applications by
181%, from 107 in 2002 to 301 in 2007.
4.1.7. There has been change in EU applications to accepted applications ratio,
previously for 1 accepted application there was likely to have been 10 to
11 applications, now in 2007 there are on average 7.2 applications per 1
accepted application. EU applications to accepted applications ratios are
much higher than Home or Overseas applications to accepted applications
ratios.
4.1.8. There has been no significant change in Overseas applications. Overseas
applications have decreased by a total of 2% over the last six years, from
1,475 in 2002 to 1,439 in 2007.
4.1.9. While Overseas accepted applications have fluctuated up and down over
the last five years. The overall Overseas accepted applications fell by 3%,
from 244 to 236.
4.1.10.
While Overseas applications to accepted applications ratio have
fluctuated over the last six years the overall change has been relatively
low, in 2002 for each accepted application there was likely to have been 6
applications, and in 2007 61 applications.
4.2.
UK Universities UCAS applications and accepted applications
Domicile trends
4.2.1. Applications to UK Universities were split 86% home, 6% EU, and 8%
overseas, and accepted applications were split 88% home, 5% EU, and
7% overseas in 2007.
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4.2.2. Home applications have continually increased over the last six years.
Over all Home applications increased by 16% between 2002 and 2007,
from 1,737,716 to 2,011,995.
4.2.3. Home accepted applications have also increase over the last six years.
Overall there has been a 10% increase in Home accepted applications
from 331,725 to 364,544.
4.2.4. There hasn’t been a significant change in applications to accepted
applications ratio for Home applicants, only a slight increase in the number
of applications required to get one accepted application from 5.2 in 2002
to 5.5 in 2007.
4.2.5. There has been a significant change in EU applications. There was an
over all increase in EU applications by 95% between 2002 and 2007, from
74,319 to 145,062. From 2003 onwards the increase in EU applications
has been significant.
4.2.6. In general there has been a significant increase in EU accepted
applications by 72%, from 11,992 in 2002 to 20,661 in 2007.
4.2.7. There has been a slight change in EU applications to accepted
applications ratio, from 6.2 applications per 1 accepted application in 2002
to 7.0 applications per 1 accepted application in 2007. EU applications to
accepted applications ratios were slightly higher than Home, where there
were 5.5 applications per 1 accepted application, but they were on a par
with overseas applications to accepted applications ratios, which were 7
applications per 1 accepted application.
4.2.8. Overseas applications increased by a total of 19% over the last six years.
There was a significant increased between 2002 and 2005 of 24% from
166,624 to 207,116, followed by a decrease of 9% to 2006 from 207,116
to 188,394, and a further increase of 5% in 2007 to 198,012.
4.2.9. While Overseas accepted applications increased significantly between
2002 and 2007 by 16%, from 24,398 to 28,225.
4.2.10.
Overseas applications to accepted applications ratios have
fluctuated very slightly over the last six years, in general for each accepted
application there was likely to have been 7 applications.
4.3.
Scottish Universities UCAS applications and accepted applications
Domicile trends
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4.3.1. In 2007 applications to Scottish Universities were split 84% home, 10%
EU, and 6% overseas, and accepted applications were split 84% home,
9% EU, and 7% overseas.
4.3.2. Home applications have steadily increased over the last six years by 9%
from 165,855 to 180,798. The largest increase was between 2004 and
2005 where home applications increased by 5%.
4.3.3. There has been very slight fluctuations in Home accepted applications
over the last five years. Overall there has been a 2% decrease in Home
accepted applications from 31,036 to 30,431.
4.3.4. There hasn’t been a significant change in the applications to accepted
applications ratio for home applicants, just a slight increase in the number
of applications required to get one accepted application from 5.3 in 2002
to 5.9 in 2007 reflecting the increase in home applications but decrease in
home accepted applications.
4.3.5. There has been a significant change in EU applications. There was an
over all increase in EU applications by 129% between 2002 and 2007,
from 9,568 to 21,923. From 2003 onwards the increase in EU applications
has been significant.
4.3.6. In general there has been a significant increase in EU accepted
applications by 103%, from 1,672 in 2002 to 3,387 in 2007.
4.3.7. There has been a slight change in the EU applications to accepted
applications ratio, from 5.7 applications per 1 accepted application in 2002
to 6.5 applications per 1 accepted application in 2007. EU applications to
accepted applications ratios were slightly higher than Home and overseas
applications to acceptance ratios, which were 5.9 applications per 1
accepted application, and 5.1 per 1 accepted application respectively in
2007.
4.3.8. Overseas applications increased by a total of 35% over the last six years.
There was a significant increased between 2002 and 2005 of 31% from
10,043 to 13,386, followed by a decrease of 3% to 2006 from 13,386 to
12,994, and an increase in 2007 of 4% to 13,516.
4.3.9. Overall Overseas accepted applications increased by a total of 71% over
the last six years. Overseas accepted applications increase significantly
between 2002 and 2003 by 26% and between 2005 and 2007 by 19%.
4.3.10.
Overseas applications to accepted applications ratios have
decreased slightly over the last six years, in general for each accepted
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application there was likely to have been 5.1 applications in 2007,
compared with 6.5 in 2002.
5.
Comparator UCAS applications and accepted applications trends
(Appendix A – Tables 5.1. to 5.5. and Chart 5.a. to 5.c.)
5.1.
Only the University of Glasgow has had a decline in the number of
applications it has received over the last six years. Overall Glasgow has
had a 2% drop in applications, this drop in applications occurred between
2006 and 2007.
5.2.
Most significant increases in application over the last six years have been
at The University of Edinburgh, the University of Dundee, The University
of Liverpool, the University of St Andrews, and The University of
Manchester.
5.3.
The University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology (UMIST)
and University of Manchester merged in 2004 to become The University of
Manchester. For tend analysis and comparison purposes for this report,
the application figures for these two institutions have been combined prior
to 2005 entry.
5.4.
There have been significant increases in applications at the University of
Edinburgh (48% increase), the University of St Andrews (32% increase),
and the University of Dundee (40% increase) over the last six years.
Some of this may be to do with English students looking to evade top-up
fees.
5.5.
While acceptances have fluctuated over the last six years the University of
Birmingham, Liverpool, and Glasgow, have all experienced an overall
decline in the number of accepted applicants over the last six years.
5.6.
The University of Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol, Aberdeen, Dundee, St
Andrews and Strathclyde have all experienced an overall increase in the
number of accepted applications over the last six years.
5.7.
The most marked increase was at the University St Andrews (increasing
by 39%) over the last six years.
5.8.
In terms of applications to accepted applications ratios, only the University
of St Andrews experienced a fall over the last six five years in the number
of applications per 1 accepted application. All the other Universities have
experienced an increase in the number of applications per 1 accepted
application over the last six years.
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5.9.
The Universities that experienced the biggest increase in the number of
application per 1 accepted application were Edinburgh, and Liverpool.
5.10. The University of Glasgow has one of the lowest applications to accepted
application ratios. In 2007 only the University of Aberdeen and
Strathclyde had lower applications to acceptance ratios.
6.
Comparator UCAS applications and accepted applications Domicile
trends (Appendix A – Tables 5.6. to 5.8. and Chart 5.d. to 5.e.)
6.1.
While Aberdeen, Dundee, St Andrews and Strathclyde all received fewer
overseas applications than the University of Glasgow, only Strathclyde
receive a smaller percentage of overseas applications as a proportion of
their total applications.
6.2.
While Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Manchester received a greater
number of EU applications than Glasgow; Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee,
and St Andrews receive a higher percentage of EU applications as a
proportion of their total applications.
6.3.
Therefore, it follows that while Aberdeen, Dundee, St Andrews and
Strathclyde receive fewer home applications than Glasgow, only
Strathclyde received a higher percentage of Home applications as a
proportion of their total applications.
6.4.
While Dundee, St Andrews and Strathclyde all had less accepted
overseas applications than the University of Glasgow, out of these
Universities Dundee and Strathclyde had a smaller percentage of
accepted overseas applications as a proportion of their total accepted
applications.
6.5.
While Edinburgh, Manchester and Aberdeen were the only institutions that
had a greater number of accepted EU applications than Glasgow; only
Aberdeen had a higher percentage of accepted EU applications as a
proportion of their total accepted applications.
6.6.
While Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Bristol, St Andrews and Strathclyde
had fewer accepted home applications than Glasgow, Liverpool, Dundee
and Strathclyde had a higher percentage of accepted Home applications
as a proportion of their total accepted applications.
6.7.
In terms of applications to accepted applications ratios only St Andrews
and Strathclyde had fewer overseas applications per 1 accepted overseas
application in 2007. Only Aberdeen had fewer EU applications per 1
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accepted EU application in 2007, and Aberdeen, Dundee and Strathclyde
had fewer home applications per 1 accepted home application in 2007.
7. The University of Glasgow UCAS applications and accepted
applications by Subject group (Appendix A – Tables 5.9. and 5.10.)
7.1.
Just over half of applications to the University of Glasgow fall into one of
the following seven subject areas; Biological Sciences, Medicine &
Dentistry, Engineering, Education, Business & Admin studies, Subjects
allied to Medicine, and Physical Sciences.
7.2.
There have been changes in the volume of applications to subject areas
over the last six years. However, this may not reflect a change in the
number of applications to areas, but a change in how the programmes are
code and mapped to subject groups within our internal records.
7.3.
Just over half of accepted applications to the University of Glasgow fall
into one of the following six subject areas; Biological Sciences,
Engineering, Medicine & Dentistry, Physical Sciences, Subjects allied to
Medicine, and combined arts.
8.
The University of Glasgow UCAS applicants applications elsewhere
(Appendix A – Table 5.11.)
8.1.
Table 5.11. shows the 20 Universities that received the most applications
from applicants to the University of Glasgow. The top five other
Universities that the University of Glasgow applicants applied to for 2007
entry included;
 The University of Edinburgh
 The University of Strathclyde
 The University of Aberdeen
 Glasgow Caledonian University, and
 the University of Dundee.
Elaine Thomson
Planning Services
18 March 2008
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