Applications rise by over five per cent

Demand to study at Wolverhampton is growing as the University bucks the national trend with an increase in applications of 5% from last year, latest figures have revealed.

As of the January 15 deadline for UCAS submissions, the University of Wolverhampton’s applications were up by 5.4% compared with the same point in 2011 and up by 19.1% compared with 2010.

This is the highest growth of any institution in the Midlands and the 7th highest growth of all English universities.

Across England, applications are down by 9.9%, meaning Wolverhampton is about 15% above the sector average.

But Government policy has driven a reduction in the overall number of student places the University can offer, as places are distributed to other parts of the country.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “The University has seen a rise in applications of over 5%, illustrating strong confidence in the quality of our courses and based on excellent partnerships with schools and colleges.

“The reduction in places due to Government-imposed limits means we will potentially have to turn away a lot of well qualified applicants, and the University will be unable to further support the skills development needed for regeneration of the Black Country, at a time of high unemployment in the area.

“We will continue to support as many applicants as possible to meet their aspirations to enter Higher Education. The majority of our students are from widening participation backgrounds and many are first generation students, for whom Higher Education will provide life changing opportunities.

“The University is gearing up to provide additional part-time opportunities and will help applicants take advantage of new financial support for part-time students through our intensive part time course provision.”

The University has received 19,269 applications from prospective students for the 2012/13 academic year. At the same point in the 2011/12 academic year, 18,282 applications had been received and in 2010, 16,176 applications had been received.

The University’s next Open Day will take place at the Wolverhampton and Walsall Campuses on Saturday, 3 March 2012 from 10am until 3pm.

Details of the University’s scholarship packages are available at www.wlv.ac.uk/begreat

For further information about University Open Days, visit www.wlv.ac.uk/opendays or call 0800 953 3222.

ENDS

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