Read the text below.
The number of students attending universities across England and Scotland has increased, Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) reports.
Data published by UK-based organization UCAS revealed that this year’s admission rates in UK countries England and Scotland went up to 33.3% and 25.5% respectively – the highest figure since 2013. However, admission rates in two other UK countries, Northern Ireland and Wales, experienced a slight drop this year.
Overall, the number of university enrollees in the United Kingdom decreased to 505,680 from last year’s 593,720. Chris Hale, director of policy at representative institution Universities UK, cites several reasons behind the decreasing number of university enrollees, such as the diminishing student population and the possibility of the UK disjoining from the European Union.
UCAS also found that the number of underprivileged students who are going to universities this year has increased. According to an executive at UCAS, the efforts of the educational institutions located in the most underprivileged areas in the United Kingdom are now paying off, as the educational gap between the advantaged students and the disadvantaged students is decreasing.
Despite UCAS’ positive findings, some critics believe that the increase in university applications has significant repercussions. First, it may lead to the unavailability of degree-appropriate jobs. As there is a lack in the number of higher-level jobs, some may be compelled to work jobs beneath their qualifications. It can also cause unemployment rates to rise if the number of graduates is higher than the number of available jobs in general. Thus, the government is urged to ensure the sufficiency of job opportunities for new graduates.