The latest available information is given in the table. Comparable figures for the 2007-08 academic year will be available in January 2009.
Academic year 25 and under 26 to 30 Over 252 Over 302 All entrants 1997-98 213,805 16,875 48,930 32,055 262,735 1998-99 210,985 15,530 46,475 30,950 257,460 1999-2000 212,465 14,100 43,900 29,800 256,365 2000-01 212,900 12,625 40,780 28,155 253,680 2001-02 223,035 13,080 43,520 30,445 266,555 2002-03 233,330 13,245 44,215 30,970 277,545 2003-043 241,180 17,970 65,135 47,165 306,310 2004-05 245,215 18,805 67,570 48,765 312,785 2005-06 261,970 18,900 67,115 48,215 329,085 2006-07 250,300 17,335 60,680 43,345 310,980 1 Includes entrants to both full-time and part-time courses. 2 These columns contain double counting as entrants aged over 30 are shown in both. 3 For years earlier than 2003-04, figures for the Open University have been excluded as they are not available separately for first degree entrants, only for all undergraduates. From 2003-04 onwards, figures for first degree entrants are available and have been included. Therefore, figures before 2003-04, and figures from 2003-04 onwards, cannot be directly compared. Note: Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December excluding those writing up, on sabbatical or dormant and are rounded to the nearest five. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
Latest figures from UCAS, covering applicants to full-time undergraduate courses only, show that, after the small downturn in 2006, applicants who were accepted for entry in 2007 increased. For accepted applicants from the UK, figures show a rise of 5.5 per cent. to 364,500, with those from England showing a 6.1 per cent. rise to 307,000, the highest ever.
Latest figures for students applying for entry in 2008, show as at the end of March, applicants to full-time undergraduate courses show a year-on-year rise of 5.5 per cent., with those from England up by 6.2 per cent.