Even though university leaders were hoping for a rise in application numbers after the predictable dip once tuition fees had nearly tripled this past September, it seems that's not going to happen according to UCAS admission data.
The number of applications at this time of year is at its lowest since 2009. But even though the general deadline for applying is January 15th, it's still possible to put in an application after that date.
As of December 17th last year, UCAS states, 265,730 UK citizens had put in their applications for the academic year starting this autumn. That's a 6.3% drop in the number of applications put in at that point the previous year.
That's across the UK - but in England alone the number of applications fell to 229,232, a drop of 6.5%
EU student applications have fallen by 1.9% from last year's number, but there's a little bit of good news for universities depending on income from tuition fees for students from outside the EU - the number of applications from non-EU students has risen by 0.8%.
Director General of the Russell Group of universities, Dr Wendy Piatt, says: "As UCAS themselves say it's likely that around 40% of students have yet to apply so let's not jump the gun - it's still too early in the year to say what the overall applications numbers will be.
"It's only right that prospective students are taking their time deciding which universities to apply to and making use of all the information available to them."
Sally Hunt, the General Secretary of the University and College Union, says: “We are witnessing a worrying trend of fewer people applying to university, particularly amongst young people.
"We have heard many warm words from the government about greater efforts to make university appeal to more people, but the bottom line is that hiking up the cost is likely to have an impact on people’s decisions when it comes to further study.
“We need our brightest people pursuing their dreams. We simply cannot afford to fall behind other countries that are seeing a rise in the number of students and graduates. More must be done to encourage people to aspire to university and far greater efforts made to support them when they are there.”
On the other hand, when it comes to apprenticeship applications, last year saw 1,127,000 being made online - with the most applications submitted in a 24-hour period last year occurring on August 16th. That day, many people will remember, was A-Level results day.
Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, David Way, says: “The high number of applications generated in 2012 is further evidence of just how popular apprenticeships have become. The quality training on offer means apprenticeships are fast becoming a first choice career option for a wide range of people.”
And there will be more apprenticeships on offer next year, with the introduction of Level 6 and Level 7 apprenticeships, equivalent to bachelors and masters degree level.
Skills Minister Matthew Hancock says: "In the past, apprenticeships were restricted to only some trades, and some parts of the economy. Now we are introducing apprenticeships in all types of jobs, including a new route to the professions, to ensure everyone can reach their potential."
