Student applications up at Reading

Undergraduate applications to Reading are up by 5.7% on the same point last year – bucking a national trend that’s seen applicant numbers fall slightly.

As of 5 February, we had received 24,864 applications for UG taught programmes starting September 2024 – 1,355 more than this time last year.

This increase is driven by a 20.7% rise in international UG applications compared with this time last year. Applications from home UG students have increased too, up by 2.1%.

By comparison, national figures released by UCAS reveal that applications made by 31 January, on average, have fallen slightly, by 0.3%. In spite of this slight dip, more UK-based 18-year-olds (+0.7%) and international students (+0.7%) have applied this year so far.

Reading’s total postgraduate applications are also up. Applications there show a 2,242 (22.2%) increase on this point last cycle – driven by a 24.9% increase in international PG taught applications. Teacher training applications from international students make up around half of this increase, while much of the remainder is from applications to a small number of programmes at Henley Business School. While it is positive that so many people are interested in these programmes, recent changes in immigration policy, in particular, mean that we are unlikely to see this amount of growth reflected in enrolments later in the year.

Growth plans

Increasing our student numbers in the coming years is key to our revenue growth plans as part of our work responding to global financial challenges.

Growing our international student population is also crucial, and is a focus of plans outlined in January’s all-staff talk on our internationalisation ambitions.

Kathryn Whittington, Head of Admissions and Enquiries Management, said: “It’s good to see that Reading is already the university of choice for so many prospective students.

“It’s not job done: External Relations colleagues are working closely with academic schools to convert strong applications into offers of a place here at Reading. Offer holder days and continuing communication with applicants are all coming together to encourage them to make the University their first choice.

“We couldn’t do this without the work that goes on to show the University at its very best, helping as many students and their supporters as possible see their future lives shaped at Reading.”

Why is 31 January important?

The 31 January deadline is a key milestone for most UCAS applicants, as it’s the last point at which undergraduate applications will get equal consideration for an offer. We can also opt to close courses to new applicants from this date.

While we can still accept applications received after that point, we aren’t obliged to – and so many prospective students aim get their applications in by this deadline.

Because of this, it’s a good point to take stock and understand the emerging picture of the applications we’ve received, and what that could mean for student numbers in September.

Internal data from 5 February offers the closest comparison to UCAS’s national data release.

Planning for future growth

February’s all-staff talk (14:00 – 14:50, Thursday 22 February) will focus on how we are working to increase student numbers and strengthen our long-term financial sustainability. Join Vice-Chancellor Professor Van de Noort CBE and Professor Dominik Zaum, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Academic Planning and Resource), to find out more.

Check your inbox for details or email communications@reading.ac.uk if you've not received an invite.