Hobsons Response to Today’s UCAS Announcement: Application Numbers

30 January 2013

Following today’s announcement that post-deadline application numbers are 3.5% up on 2012 figures, Duncan Findlater, Director of Product & Client Services said, “It is encouraging to see the rise in application numbers.

The fact is that the raising of tuition fees changed everything; we are yet to see what the real ramifications of these changes are and these latest UCAS figures are simply testament to that. If the 2012 cycle showed us anything it was that the tried and trusted way of doing things is no longer an option for most universities.

“The institutions that we work with, in both the domestic and international spheres, are beginning to talk to prospective students much earlier and tailoring their messages carefully to what they want. Relying on 'the strength of our universities brand' will no longer be enough. No matter how you articulate it, we are no longer in a market controlled by the top universities, but in a market driven by student expectations.”

Duncan Findlater added, “We know from our experience in international education that when there are big changes in the market like this that the results aren’t seen for 18 to 24 months.  For example, it’s only now that we are beginning to see the first signs of recovery in international student enquiries following the changes to the post study work visa announced in early 2011.

Notes:
1. UCAS Announcement on Application Numbers
http://www.ucas.com/about_us/media_enquiries/media_releases/2013/20130130c