A message from Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell
Dear Colleagues,
This week has seen the publication of the number of applicants applying to study at HEIs (Higher Educations Institutes) for the academic year 2012/13.
This will be the first year of the new fees regime and the figures released by UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admission Service) show the number of UK university applicants has dropped by 8.7% compared with 2011/12.
Many media observers predicted such a fall because of the change to student tuition fees, but here at Bath I am delighted to say we have bucked that national trend.
Overall
- our applications are up by nearly 4%,
- our UK applications are actually up by 1%,
- and our applications from non-EU students also show an increase of 19%
This is good news and reflects our strong position in the sector.
Last year we achieved a number of notable successes, including the title of Sunday Times University of the Year 2011/12, and I am sure these have helped in this current recruitment round.
More importantly, we have worked hard at Open Days and other key events and opportunities to present the strengths of our University effectively to prospective students.
These latest application figures suggest that our strong messages about employability, excellent placement opportunities, a supportive learning environment, and a friendly campus community are both compelling and reaching our target audiences.
Many thanks to all of you who have been involved in these initiatives.
We are also investing in our future and I’m delighted that the local architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios have been appointed to take forward the Centre for the Arts project. This new Centre will give us an opportunity to increase what we can offer our students as well as providing a wonderful new arts venue for the local and regional community to enjoy.
But we must not be complacent. It will still take time to clearly see the impact of the Government’s new funding system, and the economic difficulties facing the UK and wider world look set to continue for some time.
As I have said before, 2012 will bring us fresh challenges but these latest figures show we are starting the year in good shape.
Thank you.