David Barrett

Assistant Director

Latest UCAS applications data

• Application rates for 18 year olds are at their highest ever levels

• Record rates of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are applying to university

18 year old entry rates - most disadvantaged areas

Source: UCAS End of Cycle Report 2014. POLAR 2 Q1.

18 year old entry rates - most disadvantaged areas

Source: UCAS End of Cycle Report 2014. POLAR 2 Q1.

+60% increase from 2006

Continued improvement in continuation rates

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Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency

18 year old entry rates - higher tariff providers for most disadvantaged areas

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Source: UCAS End of Cycle Report 2014. POLAR 2 Q1.

18 year old entry rates - higher tariff providers

Source: UCAS End of Cycle Report 2014. POLAR 2

Trends by age group

Source: UCAS Analysis Report (2015) UK application rates by country, region, constituency, sex, age and background

Regional gaps widen as London grows faster

Source: UCAS Analysis Report (2015) UK application rates by country, region, constituency, sex, age and background

Differences in attainment

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Source: HEFCE publication 2013/15, Higher education and beyond: Outcomes from full-time first degree study

Decline in part-time student numbers

Part-time undergraduate UK and EU entrants in England

Looking ahead

• Removal of student number controls

• Building on National Networks for Collective Outreach (NNCOs)

• Changes in postgraduate financial support

• Demographic change

• 2015 Election

UK 18 year old population 2006-2034

Source: UCAS Analysis Report 2015

OFFA Strategic Plan 2015-2020

• Published Thursday 26 February • Developed through consultation• Sets out our aims from 2015-2020• Two key aims:

– to increase the proportion of learners from disadvantaged groups who enter, succeed in and are well prepared to progress from higher education to employment or postgraduate study

– to make faster progress in improving access to the most selective higher education institutions by students from under-represented and disadvantaged groups.

How we’re working with institutions

Two examples:

• ‘A journey to medicine: outreach guidance’

• Financial support project including joint conference 11th March

Thanks for

listening

enquiries@offa.org.uk0117 931 7171