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A record number of mature students have been accepted into higher education so far this year, new figures show.

Fears of overcrowded courses and falling standards as university admissions set to exceed 500,000 for first time

But Hefce sounds alarm over the slump in foreign language students

Falmouth’s course in creative advertising takes unconventional admissions route

University applications from school pupils eligible for free school meals have hit a record high, according to the admissions body Ucas.

Discrepancy exists even allowing for academic record or social background

Les Ebdon claims fee level has not put off poor students as spending to attract them climbs and admissions rise

University applications have risen by 4 per cent, according to the admissions body Ucas.

Milburn blames ‘secondary school maze’ for missing 2,000

Mary Curnock Cook on what reform in England could mean for admissions

The “Oxbridge Ambassador for Wales” has recommended partnerships among schools to increase the number of Welsh pupils going to Oxford and Cambridge.

DfE report suggests grammar schools appear not to have huge influence on HE path once background taken into account

Call for institutions to measure social mobility impact via graduates’ careers

Minutes from university meeting reveal impact of an influx of English and non-EU students

By Scott Jaschik, for

Universities with high tariffs gain most under new fees regime, Hefce finds

Scientists have reacted angrily to changes in A-level content announced by Michael Gove.

Contextual data debate likely to be reopened by landmark Hefce report

State school admissions to the University of Oxford fell last year but rose at the University of Cambridge, new figures show.

More students are entering higher education but most places are taken by those from wealthy backgrounds

Only one in 1,000 children who claim free school meals make it to Oxbridge, new analysis says.

Universities should provide advice to prospective students, recommends BIS report

By Scott Jaschik, for

Shift to outreach, Ebdon says, as Offa finds no link between awards and retention

UK women are in the majority at almost all levels of university study

Data show whites and pupils outside London less likely to aim for, or undertake, higher study

Contrast between their chances and those of the rich are unchanged since late 1990s, Offa finds

The Department for Education is to pay for up to five students from every state school to visit a Russell Group university

The number of university applicants has grown by 4 per cent, despite a falling population of young people, new figures show

Figures show effect of £9,000 tuition fees and relaxation of student number controls

Student marketing spend trebled as Salford shut low-demand courses

On average each Russell Group university admits just 64 of the poorest young people per year, as measured by those receiving free school meals

Ucas could help ensure that all students are assessed on the same information, says Miles Hewstone

Universities struggle to cover costs of dropouts as government support is cut

The number of English students who had applied for university by mid-December is lower than in the last four years.

Oxbridge pair predict more use of assessments of potential in admissions

A number of universities have decided to use their own funds to replace state scholarship money that was axed last year

Fewer sixth-form students want to attend a university near their home despite tuition fees rising to £9,000 a year, a new survey says.

Participation widens, but questions may be asked over falling entry requirements

Targets for financial support don’t know terminology, research finds

Engineering body fears impact of post-16 maths and English workload

Generous funding and quality tuition make US universities an attractive choice, says Alan Ryan

Two Welsh universities have set up a centre designed to tackle educational inequality in the country.

Discrepancies not fully explained by attainment levels, report finds

Traditional ‘royal route’ to a degree holds sway over credit transfers

UKCAT study chimes with Hefce research on contextual admissions

Initiatives must reach out to wider audience with success stories and ‘risk-taking’, according to Graeme Atherton

At least a quarter of the “access gap” for “top” universities in three countries cannot be explained by academic achievement, a new report says

Preliminary findings of major study revealed

2013-14 figures assuage fears of course closures

The accuracy of predicted A-level grades may be much worse than feared, research suggests.

Applications for early-deadline university courses have generally risen compared with last year, though Northern Ireland has seen a 10 per cent drop.

Institutions struggle as the pool of potential students shrinks

KwaZulu-Natal leader unveils controversial ‘equity index’ measuring universities’ performance on ethnicity and gender equity

Hefce figures show disparities between young people from the capital going to university compared with those from English regions

Internal papers show 3 per cent decline in firm acceptances for University of Central Lancashire

State school pupils do better at university than those from private schools with the same grades, according to a new report which recommends the increased use of contextual data in admissions.

University hails no-strings pilot’s success

Plans to overhaul A-levels will have “tragic consequences” on fair access efforts, the University of Oxford’s admissions head has said.

Move would level playing field for state school applicants