In response to the publication of today’s UCAS figures Libby Aston, Director of University Alliance, representing 22 universities at the heart of the sector, said:
“The UCAS application figures for 2010 highlight the central role Alliance universities are playing in ensuring that the UK has sufficient science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills – the very skills which are vital for shaping the new economy.
“Nearly 22% of all students studying STEM-related subjects are at an Alliance university and around 45% of all students at an Alliance university are studying a STEM-related subject.
“The UCAS application figures for entry in 2010, released today, show a 22.9% increase for all applicants from 2009 (1). But a look behind the figures, at the data for Alliance universities, reveals a welcomed increase in applications to STEM subjects at these universities. The University of the West of England, Bristol has seen a substantial increase of applications to engineering, rising by 39% from 2009 and 58% from 2008. At the University of Portsmouth applications to science are up by 30% -with applications to earth and environmental science up by 42% and to health sciences by 43%. And these increases are repeated at Oxford Brookes University where, for example, applications to Mathematics are up by 42%.
Libby Aston added that:
“These universities are plugging a national skills gap in these strategically important subjects. For example the increase in applications to Engineering at Hertfordshire University by 32% from 2009 compares to a 14% national average increase.
“It is heartening to see that the significant effort which has been put into raising aspirations in STEM subjects is paying off. The students applying for entry in 2010 will be graduating into an ever changing and dynamic market and Alliance universities have a proven record (2) of working with them to ensure that they are well equipped to deliver the skills that are so vital for the future growth of our economy.”
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Notes for Editors
(1) http://www.ucas.ac.uk/about_us/media_enquiries/media_releases/2010/080210
(2) For example, engineering graduates from Nottingham Trent University have joint highest graduate prospects with Imperial
About University Alliance
University Alliance represents 22 major, dynamic, business-like universities at the heart of the sector that deliver world-leading research with impact and are actively business focussed. Alliance universities educate 26% of all UK students and achieve some of the highest graduate-level employment rates. These universities offer a research informed,academic learning environment and a culture of entrepreneurialism, equipping graduates for the 21st century.
Alliance universities
Aberystwyth University, Bournemouth University, University of Bradford, De Montfort University, University of Glamorgan, University of Gloucestershire, University of Hertfordshire, University of Huddersfield, University of Lincoln, Liverpool John Moores University, Manchester Metropolitan University, Northumbria University, Nottingham Trent University, Open University, Oxford Brookes University, University of Plymouth, University of Portsmouth, University of Salford, Sheffield Hallam University, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, University of Wales, Newport, University of the West of England.
For further information, please contact:
Alexandra Harris, University Alliance on 0203 178 7491or email press@www.unialliance.ac.uk
