The phrase “unprecedented times” has been used in every commentary piece over the past two years, but it remains true – particularly for higher education admissions.
While the 2023 entry cycle is a further step towards normality, this is most definitely a new normal: with clarity on how exams will be graded in England and Wales, a growing 18-year-old population, and the rising cost of living that brings unique challenges for students, universities and colleges, and employers.
It is in this context that the 2023 cycle ramps up, and we’ve just reached our first key milestone – the October 15 deadline, which is specifically for courses at Oxford and Cambridge as well as medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, and usually accounts for about 10 per cent of total applicants. What we have seen at this point is a decline in total applicants compared to last year, including a 3 per cent dip in UK 18-year-old applicants.
