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'Not too many students' applying to universities

It is wrong to say there are too many students applying for university places in the UK, it has been claimed.

Jamie O' Connell, a spokesperson for Acumin PI, said tough competition means not all students will get the places they want at university, but this is not such a bad thing as it has put pressure on the government to ensure there are alternative routes for young people to take into employment.

He commented: "As an alternative to applying [to university], many students are looking to enter the workplace earlier with many looking for internships to get them that initial foot on the ladder."

According to figures from Ucas, full-time applications for university places rose for the fourth consecutive year in 2010.

As of 22 January 2010, there were 570,556 applicants - a rise of 106,389 or 22.9 per cent over 2009. The UK saw an increase in applicants of 22.1 per cent, while overseas applicants rose from 55,245 to 71,105 (up 28.7 per cent).