Fewer apply to Leeds universities

Fewer apply to Leeds universities

Leeds universities have received fewer applications this year - and the figure of 12.8% is almost 4% below the national average.

Leeds universities have received fewer applications this year - and the figure of 12.8% is almost 4% below the national average.

Overall demand for places among UK students dropped drastically amid significant tuition fee increases, with the largest decline in applications from those living inEngland, according to official figures from the Universities and Colleges Application System.

The University of Leeds suffered a decline of just 5.8%, but some institutions elsewhere in the city experienced a slump of almost twice the national average of 8.9%.

Leeds Metropolitan University saw applications dip 15.9%, while Leeds College of Music saw a fall of 10.2%.

Leeds Trinity University College, which will be raising its fees to £8,000 this September, saw a decrease of 16.7% compared to 2011.

Students' Union president Stephen Knowles said he hoped the decline was a one-off and added: "I think maybe the word 'college' in the name might put some people off but that's a name that we're hopefully going to lose."

However, while there were fewer applications, Mr Knowles suggested they may be of better quality and higher fees could ultimately mean higher grades.

"I think you'll see a lot of people taking university that bit more seriously and hoping for better results," he said.

Copyright Press Association 2012