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Palatinate
No. 748
Durham’s student newspaper since 1948
www.palatinate.org.uk
Thursday 14th February 2013 | FREE
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The fashion show has raised over £7,000 for CRY after a decadent performance Photograph: Yargi Erel
Durham applications on the decline Jillian Ward
Applications to Durham University have decreased by 1.1% as of 1st February 2013, according to official figures. Nationally, university applications have increased by 3.5%, according to UCAS statistics released on the 15th January deadline of this year. After an initial downturn, UCAS saw an upward surge of applications closer to the deadline. Director General of the Russell Group of Universities Dr Wendy Piatt said that prospective students are “rightly taking longer to decide” to apply to university after the tuition fee increase. As an explanation to the last-
minute surge, she added that applicants “know a good degree remains a sound investment for the vast majority.” Durham, however, was excluded from the last-minute rush in applications.
1.1%
Decrease in applications to Durham for 2013 entry
In a statement to Palatinate, Richard Emborg, Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions at Durham University, commented: “UCAS applications to Durham are marginally down compared to last year.
“But in sharp contrast to the sector average, our figures for entry in 2013 remain significantly up on those for 2011, the year before student tuition fees were increased. “Applicants are attracted to Durham because of the distinctive education we offer.” According to official university figures, applications to Durham increased by 5.6% between 2011 and 2013, while the national average decreased by 9.6% in the same period. However, while Durham’s application figures may be above the sector average, other universities have seen a massive increase in applications this year. A survey conducted by the Sunday Times suggests that prospective students are now basing degree and university selection on future employment prospects.
For instance, UCAS applications for engineering are up by 8.4% and up for computer science by 12.3%. Exeter University, which was chosen as the Times University of the Year for 2013, saw a 25% increase in applications as of 13th January, according to the survey.
25%
Increase in applications at Exeter University for 2013
Despite Durham’s surprising increase in applications of over 8% last year, it now lags behind other universities’ application numbers.
Continued on page 3
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