Rush for places at city university

Applications to the University of Wolverhampton have risen by more than 30 per cent compared with last year, it was announced today.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service said that the increase in the city was higher than the national average.

There have been 16,176 applications to Wolverhampton in this academic year, compared to 12,442 in the previous 12 months.

For the UK as a whole, more than 570,000 students have applied for a place at university this autumn, an increase of more than 100,000, or 23 per cent, on the same period last year. Figures released by UCAS show that 56 per cent of applications this year have been from female students.

Significant increases in applications from those aged over 20 have been noted, with a 45 per cent increase in applications from 21 to 24-year-olds and a 63 per cent rise in applicants aged over 25.

Applications from students from other European Union countries have risen by 30 per cent, while non-EU applicants have increased by 22 per cent.

The most popular subjects nationally are nursing, psychology, law, design and pre-clinical medicine. The least popular subjects are technology, Portuguese studies, architecture and research in education.

Thriving courses at the University Wolverhampton include nursing, teaching, social work, law, psychology and business management.

Jane Nelson, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, said: "We are very pleased with this positive increase, but we are still at an early stage in the applications process and would still encourage potential students to apply."

The rise in applications at Wolverhampton follows the launch of Learning Works, a new undergraduate course portfolio. The university reviewed all its courses to make sure they were better suited to demand.

Learning Works is designed to provide students with the key skills and knowledge they need for the world of work.

Students will also be offered work placements, the opportunity to run their own businesses, volunteering and mentoring opportunities, or an international study visit, to prepare them for employment.

And the increase comes despite financial difficulties which saw 156 staff apply for voluntary redundancy at the university in December last year.

Bosses first revealed they needed to make £8 million of savings last August, with spiralling pay costs, funding changes and stricter saving rules from Government blamed for its financial woes.

Controversial plans have also been drawn up by the university to move its business school from the Telford and Compton Park campuses to the city centre.

There have been widespread fears that the two campuses, which both host other facilities, may close because of deep cuts to higher education budgets.

For more information on the university applications process, or visit www.wlv.ac. uk or call 0800 953 3222