- The proportion of UK 18-year-olds applying returns to pre-pandemic levels.
- The number of 18-year-old applicants from the most deprived areas has increased across all UK nations.
New data released today shows the number of UK 18-year-olds applying by the January Equal Consideration Date (ECD) has reached 338,940, up from 323,610 — an increase of 4.8%.
This rise reflects the growing size of the UK 18-year-old population and suggests participation is returning to pre-pandemic levels. UCAS analysis shows the application rate for this age group now stands at 40.7%, up slightly from 40.6% last year. After reaching a high of 42.8% in 2022, the rate has eased back toward pre-pandemic levels, indicating a return to more typical patterns of demand.
Today’s figures also show increases in the number of 18-year-old applicants from the most disadvantaged backgrounds throughout all the UK nations. In England, 51,330 students applied from IMD Quintile 1 (compared to 48,520 in 2025, +5.8%). The equivalent cohort for Wales (WIMD Q1) saw 1,850 students apply (up from 1,630 in 2025, +13.6%). Similarly, in Scotland, 2,840 students applied from SIMD Q1 (2,590 in 2025, +9.7%); and in Northern Ireland, 1,710 students applied from NIMDM Q1 (1,600 in 2025, +6.9%).
Figures also highlight the UK’s continued appeal as a world-class study destination for international students. The number of international applicants who applied to undergraduate courses via UCAS has increased to 124,830, compared to 118,800 last year (+5.1%). This includes a rise of +10% from applicants from China, with 34,380 applicants, up from 31,160 last year.
This year UCAS has updated its provider categories, which give an indication of where UK 18-year-old demand is concentrated. The provider categories, which are used for sector analysis, show the number of students applying to higher tariff institutions is up +6.9% to 247,130 (from 231,070 last year). Medium tariff institutions have seen steady +2.8% growth to 212,680 (from 206,880) while lower tariff institutions have recorded a more modest increase of +1.8% to 180,210 (from 176,940).
The categories now also report on smaller institutions, where UK 18-year-old applicants are up +4.2% to 9,360 (versus 8,980 in 2025), and specialist institutions, which have seen a slight decline of -2.3% to 40,670 (from 41,640).
Other insights from today’s release include:
- Total applicant numbers are up, rising to 619,360 compared with 600,660 at the same point last year (3.1%).
- The number of UK mature applicants (aged 21+) has fallen from 61,280 last year to 57,570 this year (-6.1%), reflecting the ongoing trend of lower mature applicant numbers at this point in the cycle, as this group typically applies later in the year. The number of UK mature students who have applied to study nursing is down from 12,610 in 2025 to 11,560 this year (-8.4%).
- Overall, 44.6% of UK 18-year-olds have made at least one choice where they intend to live at home, up from 43.2% last year.
- China remains the largest market for international applicants who apply through UCAS, however demand also continues to grow from: India, with 8,870 applicants (+1.5% from 8,740 last year), USA, with 6,920 applicants (+3.5% from 6,680 last year) and Ireland, with 6,440 applicants (+12% from 5,750 last year).
Dr Jo Saxton CBE, Chief Executive of UCAS, said:
“It’s really encouraging to see more students from disadvantaged backgrounds across the UK applying to higher education. We know that choosing whether and where to study is a big decision, and for many people it comes with real financial and personal pressures.
“That’s why we’ve launched a new scholarships and bursaries tool to give applicants better visibility of the support available to them, and why we are expanding the application fee waiver to include care leavers from the 2027 cycle. These targeted steps are designed to help remove barriers for those who need it most.
“For those still considering their options, I encourage you to make use of the information, advice and guidance on the UCAS Hub, which is there to support you to make informed decisions and choose the route that is right for you.”
View today’s figures in our interactive dashboard
ENDS
Notes to editors
The UCAS equal consideration date was 14 January 2026. About 95% of UK 18‑year‑olds have submitted their application by this point in the cycle.
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UCAS
UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is an independent charity, and the UK's shared admissions service for higher education.
UCAS’ services support young people making post-18 choices, as well as mature learners, by providing information, advice, and guidance to inspire and facilitate educational progression to university, college, or an apprenticeship.
UCAS manages almost three million applications, from around 700,000 people each year, for full-time undergraduate courses at over 380 universities and colleges across the UK.
UCAS is committed to delivering a first-class service to all our beneficiaries — they're at the heart of everything we do.