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In 2021−22, there were 2,717,010 students at Universities Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û (UÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û) member institutions; an increase of 4% compared to 2020−21.
Full-time higher education numbers at UÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û member institutions in 2021–22 increased by 4% since 2020-21. Part-time numbers also increased (up 3% since 2020–21). In 2021–22, part-time students accounted for 34% of postgraduate students and 15% of undergraduate students.
In 2021–22, almost 80% of students at UÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û member institutions were studying full-time. 66% of students were studying for a first degree either full or part time, and 29% were postgraduates. 'Other undergraduates' were the most likely to be studying part time, followed by postgraduate taught students.
For the 2022 cycle, total applicant numbers for Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û full-time undergraduate higher education courses increased by 4.5% on 2020, but total acceptances went down by 1.3%. The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û 18-year-old entry rate was down 0.8% from 2021.
England and Scotland saw record percentages of the most disadvantaged students beginning a full-time undergraduate course in the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û in 2022. The percentage in Northern Ireland declined after a record uplift in 2021; and the figure for Wales stayed the same.
In 2021–22, mature students (aged 21 and over) accounted for 63% of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û-domiciled student population at UÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û member institutions, including 48% of undergraduate students. In the same year, Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students accounted for 27% of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û-domiciled student population at UÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û member institutions.
In 2021–22, undergraduate student numbers at UÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û member institutions were highest in business, subjects allied to medicine, and social sciences. Postgraduate numbers were highest for business, subjects allied to medicine, and education and teaching.
In 2021–22, 4% of students at UÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û member institutions were from EU countries, while 20% were from outside the EU. This is a shift from 5% and 16% respectively in 2020–21. The share of postgraduates coming from the EU and non-EU countries in 2021–22 was 4% and 42% respectively.
Our monthly updates are a great way for you to stay up to date with our work, events, and higher education news.