On Campus

Record levels for British university applications

Students scramble for spots ahead of 2012 tuition increase

Applications to British universities are at a record high as students scramble for spots before tuition fees triple in 2012. There are an additional 8,000 students applying this year over last, or a 2.5 per cent increase. The month of November saw a 20 per cent increase over last year while October saw a five per cent boost. “Thousands of young people denied a place last autumn have reapplied for courses, fuelling the surge in applications,” the Guardian reported. Applications for professional programs, including medicine, law and dentistry are on the rise as applications from older students also increase. Applications for subjects such as languages, philosophy and history have declined. In December the British Parliament raised the cap on tuition fees from 3,000 pounds to 9,000 pounds, or $14,000. The increase, which will affect students who start university in 2012 sparked, student rioting across the country.

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