University applications in UK up 4%

Applications for university places are up by 4% on last year, with 659,030 submitted by the end of June, according to the admissions service Ucas.

The deadline for would-be students to apply through the main admissions scheme was 30 June, after which they went into clearing, where universities and colleges fill any places they have remaining. Applications from England, Scotland and Wales have risen by 3%, 2% and 3% respectively but remained static in Northern Ireland.