Oxford University has defied a national drop in student applications for the next academic year. While nationwide numbers for 2006 showed a drop in applications, Oxford's undergraduate figures have continued to rise.
A total of 12,650 candidates applied for entry to Oxford this autumn, a 1.2 per cent rise from 2004, when 12,496 applications were received. The rise is mainly due to a 2.8 per cent rise from the maintained sector. This compares nationally with an overall drop of nearly thirteen thousand applications - or 3.4 per cent.
Oxford's state sector applications figures rose from 5,809 in December 2004 to 5,974 in 2005, while those from the independent sector dropped from 4,388 in 2004 to 4,294 in 2005, a decrease of 2.1 per cent.
New tuition fees which are being introduced from September have been cited as a possible reason for the national fall (although UCAS notes the drop is not surprising after an unusually high rise the year before). Whether or not this is the case, tuition fees do not seem to have put off Oxford applicants. Oxford has introduced the most generous bursary scheme in the country, offering up to £13,000 for low-income students.
Professor Elizabeth Fallaize, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at Oxford University, said: 'We are delighted that our applications are up. The indications are that the introduction of higher tuition fees has been more than offset by our bursaries scheme. Oxford is strongly committed to a needs-blind approach to the admission of students and the new scheme is an important part of our strategy.'
The scheme, worth up to £10,000 over three years or £13,000 over four years, will ensure that those students from families with low incomes who receive full statutory Government grants can meet their entire basic living costs during term-time. About 26 per cent student starting in 2006 are expected to receive bursaries under the scheme, with 12 per cent of the entire student body expected to receive the maximum bursary.
The scheme has been widely advertised locally and nationally, with details being sent to every school and college in the country. Eligible students need not apply for support through this scheme - the University will receive the financial assessment of their household income made by their LEA and give eligible students a bursary automatically.
Picture: Potential applicants visiting Oxford on an open day. On average Oxford holds at least one access activity for every working day of the year. Credit: Phil Sayer. |
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