Record number of university applications by UK 18-year-olds

A record number of UK 18-year-olds have applied for a university or college place by the January 2025 deadline, according to data released by UCAS.

The number of UK 18-year-olds applying for a higher education place rose from 316,850 in 2024 to 323,360 in 2025 – an increase of 2.1%.

Yet, despite the increase in application numbers, the overall application rate for UK 18-year-olds has decreased from 41.3% in 2024 to 40.6% in 2025.

Alongside the fall in the rate of applications by UK 18-year-olds, there was a fall in the number of UK mature applicants (aged 21+), which decreased by 6.4% from 65,450 to 61,280.

However, this figure is not too large of an anomaly, as it corresponds with recent trends of a falling number of applications from mature students at this point in the cycle (29 January).

The rising trend of total applications over time can be linked to the growing emphasis on higher education as a route to career growth and financial stability.

The total number of applicants to university has seen a 1.0% increase compared to what it was at the same point last year, growing from 594,940 to 600,660.

The total increase in applications clearly demonstrates how the UK remains an attractive and desirable destination for higher education, as further validated by the 2.7% increase in international undergraduate applicants through UCAS.

The rising trend of total applications over time can be linked to the growing emphasis on higher education as a route to career growth and financial stability.

It’s encouraging to see a record high number of UK 18-year-olds applying for university

Dr Jo Saxton, UCAS Chief Executive

In today’s competitive job market, a university degree is often considered essential or a prerequisite for securing employment in specialised fields and obtaining higher-paying positions.

Commenting on this data, UCAS Chief Executive, Dr Jo Saxton, said: “It’s encouraging to see a record high number of UK 18-year-olds applying for university.”

Regarding the fall in demand from mature applicants, she continued: ‘[It] shows we have more work to do to break down barriers to progression, and better support students from all backgrounds who could benefit from the transformative experience of higher education.”