Russell Group comment on summer 2022 admissions

15 August 2022

Commenting on university admissions ahead of A level results day this Thursday (18 August 2022) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a Russell Group spokesperson said:

"This will be a competitive year as things start to return to normal following two summers of the pandemic and disruption to exams. Our universities will be working hard to give as many people the opportunity to study with them as they can, while maintaining a high-quality experience for students. Figures show the number of 18 year olds holding offers at higher-tariff providers is the second-highest ever, significantly up on 2019 and 2020 and pre-pandemic trends.

"Despite the increased competition, we’re pleased that UCAS predicts record numbers will get their first choice this year on results days, and there are lots of options available to those who are unplaced or choose to go through Clearing, including at most Russell Group universities.

"Our universities have grown UK student numbers alongside international numbers, increasing the domestic 18 year old undergraduate intake by 28% over the past two years to ensure students were not disadvantaged by the pandemic, while overseas numbers grew by 3%."

Notes

• UCAS data shows 117,000 UK 18-year-olds are holding offers at higher tariff providers – the second-highest figure on record, behind 2021’s record 121,000, but markedly ahead of the 106,000 in 2019 and 111,000 in 2020, as applicants seize the most ambitious opportunities.
• The number of domestic 18 year old undergraduates accepted onto courses at higher tariff universities grew by 28% over the last two years, as our universities expanded numbers to ensure students were not disadvantaged by the pandemic. In the same period non-UK undergraduate student numbers have grown by 3%.