Yorkshire universities 'may defy UK trend'

 A rise in applications to someYorkshireuniversities could be set to disrupt the trend of falling applications around the country, as higher fees take a hold.

 A rise in applications to someYorkshireuniversities could be set to disrupt the trend of falling applications around the country, as higher fees take a hold.

 Yorkshire Universities' chief executive Professor Roger Lewis reported sings that up to seven of the region's 11 higher education providers could record an increase. Possible reasons are the low cost of living compared with that in southernEngland, and a possible hike in the number of school leavers wanting to study from home.

 Bradford and York St John saw more applications, although Huddersfield, Leeds Metropolitan, Sheffield Hallam andYorkhad fewer.

 UCAS said there may be a late surge of applications in the run-up to the deadline on January 15.

 "Interest from young people wanting to study in the region remains high and in many cases applications are up on previous years," said Professor Lewis.

 "Universities report that they are attracting the right students without having to lower their expectations of high-quality applicants and all institutions predict that they will meet their recruitment targets."

  The numbers of degree course applications are expected to fall for the coming year - 2012/13, the first to face maximum annual fees of £9,000.

  Copyright Press Association 2012