This page reflects on the issues affecting university funding in 2012 and subsequent shortage in places available. It offers pointers on what to consider when selecting a course to study with potential employment implications and then explains the process of how to apply to university, what to do when you get your results and the clearing process, links to student advice sites and recommended books and tips on studying and dissertations.

The state of higher education in 2012

In 2012 British universities face the challenging prospect of record applications for places combined with a continued squeeze in funding to run them.

According to figures by Ucas 673,000 students had applied to start undergraduate degrees this September - about 10,000 more than last year, which was itself a record. However due to shortfalls in higher education funding as a consequence of the budget deficit, the increase in the number of places on degree courses has been frozen for the current year. Consequently the record applications, added to severe budget cuts, mean that increasingly more students are applying for places than are available at university.

Increasing demand for places and an inappropriate aspiration?
Demand for university places has risen quickly over the past decade. The previous Labour government's target of getting 50% of school leavers to go onto higher education and the expansion in university places has made a degree an expectation rather than desire for many youngsters. Add to that the effects of the recession with diminished employment prospects for school leavers and it is therefore hardly surprising that increasing numbers of people are choosing to study for a degree. Meanwhile, applications are up about 23% for over-25s, suggesting people struggling in the jobs market are going back to education to retrain, and the ranks have then been further swelled by a bottleneck of last year's disappointed applicants - with a 24% increase in the number of previous applicants re-applying to 56,960.

The target of getting a higher number of school leavers to go to university has come in for increasing criticism from employers, with the Association of Graduate Recruiters saying: "The focus must shift back to quality rather than quantity." It concludes that the target devised under the Blair government of half of all under-30s going into higher education "has driven down standards, devalued the currency of a degree and damaged the quality of the student university experience. "

AGR goes on to say: "Growing numbers of students are studying degree courses which lack rigour in below-average institutions. This does not help young people's life chances or represent a good financial investment. It also creates problems for graduate employers who can no longer be sure what the value of certain degree courses and institutions is."

Along with previous calls by the CBI to scrap the target, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development joined the criticism as it published a survey in March 2010 showing that close to 6 in 10 recent graduates who have a job are not working in a field related to the degree they studied. Of these, 58 per cent said this was because they were unable to find a suitable job; suggesting that many graduates are frustrated in their career aspirations. The CIPD argues that the higher number of competing graduates is reducing the likelihood that they will be able to find a job that matches the skills they acquired during their degree.

However, as a counter argument advocates of mass higher education have argued that the generic skills that graduates learn, such as independent thinking, are more important than the specific skills related to the particular subject they studied. According to this reasoning, graduates will be more productive workers regardless of which field they enter.

The most recent figures show 43 per cent of young people go to university. In recent years the outgoing government downgraded the 50 per cent figure from a "target" to an "aspiration" whilst the Tories criticised the benchmark, saying: "We have never accepted Labour's arbitrary targets."

200,000 students miss out on university places
200,000 students are expected to miss out on a degree place in 2011, or 30% of the 673,000 students who expected to apply to university. And universities are expected to be less likely to accept students who just missed the grades required in their offers. Some are suggesting that re-takes will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Alternatives to university such as apprenticeships
Higher Education minister David Willetts told students to look at other options because around seven will now be competing for every spare place in the clearing process, with clearing availability also expected to plummet by half. He said: "Sadly, there will be quite a number of young people who don't get a place. It has always been a competitive process but for them we've got the widest possible range of alternative options, including, of course, studying at Open University, studying at an FE college or going into work with an apprenticeship."

Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the Association of Graduate Recruiters, attempted to soften the blow by saying: "Those who miss out this year should consider getting broader experience - in the workplace or by volunteering - which will strengthen their applications next time." Options for those who don't get a place at university Prospective students can wait for a year to re-apply, and try to find work in a crowded job market, travel or do voluntary work or an internship while they wait - refer to our Gap year page for more on these options.

The head of Ucas has suggested apprenticeships as an alternative option, but competition for schemes with strong career prospects is stiff. Part-time study and distance-learning are among other options. The Open University and Birkbeck University, which specialises in evening courses, have both reported a rise in applications from young people. Study at a further education college is also a possibility. Totaljobs features hundreds of listings for apprenticeships.

Though there are many advantages to going to university, it doesn’t mean that it’s the only career path that you have to take. With tuition fees increasing, competition for places heating up and the inevitable long term debt, millions of young people are turning to alternatives to higher education. Apprenticeships are a hot topic at the moment as, thanks to political pressure, more employers are offering schemes to young people who would rather earn and learn simultaneously. Working with top vacancy providers and employers nationwide BIGDOG.co.uk is a community-based site that offers tips, advice and thousands of opportunities all over the UK.

Further the National Exam Results helpline offers information, advice and support to anyone considering their options - call 0808 100 8000.

 

What should I study at university?

In considering what degree course to take typically you will be looking to follow on from your choice of A-levels given it is likely these were subjects you were a) interested in and b) relatively good at. At the same time you should give thought to career prospects following university, if you have a specific career course in mind such as lawyer or doctor then naturally a law or medicine degree would be the logical choice.

If you wish to consider both employment prospects and earnings potential following university then those graduating from disciplines where skills shortages are present such as in engineering, maths and the sciences (see more on this in the following article) tend to record higher average earnings over their career (compared to non-graduates) than those from arts or humanities degrees, as shown in the table below:

Subject studied	Average extra earnings (compared to non-graduates)
Medicine	£340,000
Law	£245,000
Engineering	£245,000
Maths	£240,000
Physics	£190,000
Chemistry	£185,000
Business	£185,000
European languages	£165,000
Psychology	£100,000
Linguistics and English	£95,000
Humanities	£50,000
Arts	£35,000

Clearly these are only average earnings and rates of pay and circumstances can vary widely between each field. It's also true that, without a degree, you can still earn more than the average graduate. Those taking training places from one of the big accountancy or law firms, for example, can circumvent the need and cost of a degree and get a 3-4 year headstart on graduates in the workplace. For more on the financial implications of university please see our article Can I afford to go to university? on the Student Finance page.

Media studies vs Engineering, the employment skills imbalance of tomorrow?

Sir James Dyson, the inventor entrepreneur, has called out on behalf of UK industry for the education system to deliver more people with the right skills and potential to succeed in engineering and manufacturing. However figures published by the Joint Council for Qualifications showed a total of 17,442 A-level students sat technology exams in 2009-10, compared to 33,822 people taking media, film or TV studies.

Whilst acknowledging increasing numbers of students with strong science, engineering, technology and mathematics A-levels in 2010 compared to the prior year Sir James said: "we need to boost these numbers, there are still twice as many people choosing media studies over technology." He added: "For the UK to stay competitive, we require having the right people with the right training."

The warning comes as a third of engineering companies said they doubted they would be able to recruit enough suitably qualified professionals to meet their business needs, according to the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). About 20pc of science-related professional jobs in the UK were filled by migrant workers, the IET said, in a sign that the skills gap could become unmanageable with large scale projects such as new nuclear power stations.

Paul Davies, IET head of policy, said: Unless we see a dramatic change in the number of young people progressing into science, technology, engineering and maths courses and then careers, the UK will struggle to deliver the new technology and infrastructure needed for a green economy.

Major energy companies including EDF Energy, E.ON, Centrica and National Grid have also recently warned that not enough young people want to study or work in the engineering and energy sector. A survey of 2,000 A level and university students by Centrica , revealed that 55pc would not consider a career in science, technology or energy. Media and entertainment jobs were more desirable, the study showed. Centrica said the results were a "huge concern" because an estimated 70pc of the UK's current nuclear workforce could be retired by 2025.

National Grid agreed the Government should step up efforts to tackle skills shortages in science, technology, engineering and maths. Jon Butterworth, operations director, said: "I am personally worried about the quality and quantity of young people studying engineering." He added: "National Grid would like to see industry and Government working consistently on a campaign to inspire people to acquire the skills needed to be part of a low-carbon future. We need to counter stereotypical images that engineering is boring or geeky. We need young people to want to get involved."

A number of energy companies agree on the pressing issue, an EDF Energy spokesman said: "It's crucial that we make science, technology and engineering appealing again so the future workforce has the skills needed. A large part of EDF Energy's recruitment challenge will be in the search for a wide range of engineering, nuclear science and technology skills." Further Dave Newborough, head of HR at E.ON, added: "We have a huge engineering skills challenge over the coming years."

Back to Dyson and they're still looking for another 250 engineers to join the company this year, despite having advertised for 350 roles in April. The company has been swamped by 4,000 applications, but so far has only recruited 100 people.

Sir James called on the Government to introduce greater flexibility into the UK education system, with two-year degrees that guaranteed industry placements. He said: "University is vital for theory, but its no substitute for reality. A taste of the world of work will give young people greater clarity and direction in where they're going either at university or in the workplace."

Applying to university - the UCAS process

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) handles all UK full-time undergraduate applications, which is handy as it means you only need to fill in one form to apply to up to six institutions. Application forms are available from schools, colleges and careers officers or you can apply on the UCAS website using their Electronic Application System. For help completing your UCAS form and with writing the personal statement, which university admissions tutors will review in considering your application, there is a handy guide available:

How to Complete Your UCAS Application 2012 Entry "Are you keen to get on the degree course of your choice? Need advice on ensuring your university UCAS application stands out head and shoulders above other students' applications? With competition higher than ever for places at university how can you make sure your UCAS application makes a fantastic impact on admissions tutors? How to Complete Your UCAS Application has been helping students stay off the reject list for over 20 years. This guide shows you how to fill in your UCAS application step-by-step, containing vital advice on avoiding common mistakes on the UCAS application, as well as tips on writing a brilliant personal statement. Inside is vital information on: Important deadlines you must not miss (including submission dates for applications for medical schools, dental schools, veterinary science, Oxford and Cambridge, and art and design courses); Guidance on navigating the UCAS Apply system; How to impress admissions tutors with your personal statement. Not only does this book go through the mechanics of the UCAS application itself, it also gives you helpful information about how to choose your degree course, the academic requirements expected of you, narrowing down your list of universities to apply to, handling interviews and what to do on A Level results day if you don't get your expected grades. With all of this fundamental information in one accessible place you can organise and complete a winning UCAS application form and be confident that you can send off your UCAS application knowing that it is error-free and boasting a top level personal statement."

When to apply to university
For most courses, UCAS must receive your application form between 1st September and 15th January in the academic year before university entry. Deadlines for Oxbridge colleges are slightly earlier and generally it is recommended that you get your application in as soon as possible.

Where to apply to?!
Probably the most important factor to consider when choosing a university is to make sure they offer a course which you will be most interested in and which is suited to you. The next important thing to look at is the entry requirements for the course. By the time it comes around to applying to universities you should have a set of predicted A-level grades, the entry requirements to the courses you apply to should be based on your predicted grades. Be aware however that if you apply for a course which has significantly higher entry grades to your predictions, then the chances are that they will look most favourably at the candidates who do meet their entry requirements.

When filling in your UCAS form you will be asked to select your top six courses. The best plan is to choose a couple of courses whose entry requirements match, or even slightly excede your predicted grades. Then choose a couple more courses around your predicted grades, then a couple whose entry requirements are lower than your predicted grades. Therefore ideally, after you've received your responses from the universities, you'll be able to put your first choice course, usually the one with the highest entry requirements, as first choice - then a course with lower entry requirements as your 'insurance' choice.

As well as choosing an appropriate course to do at university, deciding which actual university you want to go to is an equally important decision. Often geography is a main deciding factor - with students deciding which university to go to based on its location around the country. A university's reputation is an important factor, as the very top graduate recruiters tend to focus on the more established 'redbrick' universities. One thing to take note of is that the standard of courses varies greatly between universities, it can by no means be guaranteed that a top five university would be the best choice for a specific course.

The majority of universities in the UK are campus based which means that accommodation, lectures and entertainment may all be based in the same area. You need to decide whether you'd be more suited to a relaxing, more country style campus - such as Exeter, or a bustling city university such as UCL in London. This decision can be another important factor in choosing which university would be suitable for you. For more advice the following books provide an excellent resource of research:

	The Times Good University Guide 2012 "How do you find the best university for the subject you wish to study? You need a guide that evaluates the quality of what is available, giving facts, figures and comparative assessments of universities. Since 1992, The Times has produced the most widely respected and used university league tables. The Times University Guide takes the key measures of quality as its focus, so you can make informed choices of university and subjects. Still unique and still controversial, the rankings provide hard data, analysed, interpreted and presented by a team of experts. Contains the most up-to-date league tables on more than 60 subject areas and over 100 UK universities: this is the most definitive and authoritative guide available • How to select the right course and the right university for you • All you need to know about applying and finding accommodation • Employment prospects: new information and statistics to inform your choices • Fees, bursaries, and all other costs explained • The best universities for sport ranked in a great new league table • Detailed profiles of each university and new city profiles • Advice for anyone considering studying abroad"
	The Guardian University Guide 2011 "Which is the best university for me? How do I go about choosing a course? When will I need to start filling out my application? How much will my degree cost? If you're thinking of applying to university and have more questions than answers, The Guardian University Guide is the book for you. Fully revised and updated, it has all the information you need to make the right decisions about your degree. - Profiles of more than 150 universities and higher education colleges in the UK - Unique Guardian subject ratings that include data from the National Student Survey, telling you what students really think of their course - No-nonsense advice on the whole process, from requesting your first prospectus to meeting UCAS deadlines - A dedicated finance chapter that details not only what you can expect to pay but also the help that is available through grants, bursaries and awards Packed full of the things you really need to know, The Guardian University Guide is essential reading for every would-be student."
	The Virgin Guide to British Universities 2012 "The Virgin 2012 Guide to British Universities is the only university guide to offer a uniquely students' eye view of what it's like to study at a particular university. As well as hard facts and practical information on every UK university - such as official ratings for teaching, statistics on where graduates end up and employment prospects by subject - the guide is also packed with useful information such as what the social scene is like, how much living costs are likely to be and what the student profile at a particular university is really like. With a comprehensive entry on every UK university, the Virgin guide contains all the information and advice potential undergraduates will need to choose the best university for them."

Apply2Uni offer a personal statement example, editing and writing service to help people apply to universities in the UK. Their services are offered by experienced UCAS writers and they provide initial and ongoing advice to help applicants secure their first choice at university.

Open Days list open days for every UK higher education institution in the UK.

The Transformation Trust supports projects which provide extra-curricular activities and support for thousands of pupils and teachers across England.

Once you decide on a university, you may want to consider the possibility of getting your degree online. For the tech savvy individual, an instructional technology online degree would be a great option, or a degree in computer science. These majors will help individuals learn the evolving tools in the technological world, and incorporate them into the classroom or workplace.

Or if you're not sure on whether university is for you check out Not going to uni for advice on alternative career paths for school leavers including apprenticeships and further training.

Here is a list of other recommended books:

	The Virgin University Survival Guide "The Virgin University Survival Guide is full of indispensable advice and information which will see you through the whole of your student life, from freshers' week to finals, and beyond. With advice on money and debt, housing, studying and exams, health and stress, work and careers and what to do when you graduate, this guide contains everything, including the kitchen sink (and how to unblock it)."
	Getting into Oxford and Cambridge 2012 entry: The Insider Guide to Winning a Place at Oxford or Cambridge University "Are you keen to study at Oxford or Cambridge University? Would you like advice on making your Oxbridge application stand out head and shoulders above other students' applications? Getting Into Oxford & Cambridge 2012 entry contains all of the essential information you need to get onto a degree course at one of these prestigious institutions. With information on what A level subjects these universities prefer applicants to study, and the grades they expect, you can be in no doubt as to what you need to win your dream university place at Oxford or Cambridge. Advice on writing a winning UCAS personal statement and tips on getting the UCAS application just right will ensure that you are in with a fighting chance of being called to interview at Oxford or Cambridge. Don't get caught out by the special UCAS application dates for these universities - Getting Into Oxford & Cambridge also equips you with all the dates you need to make sure your UCAS application gets in on time. Information on what to expect at interview, top tips for giving a great interview and practical suggestions on what to wear, getting to your interview and coping with written tests will help you proceed through the next stage of application calmly and confidently. If you're committed to applying to Oxbridge and want a head start over the other applicants this is an essential book for you."
	Getting into Medical School 2012 Entry: The Insider Guide to Winning a Place at Medical School "Are you keen to study medicine at university? Need advice on making sure your medical school application stands head and shoulders above other students' university applications? If so, Getting Into Medical School 2012 entry is the book for you. It's full of essential information that can help you to secure your place at the medical school of your choice. From deciding whether a career in medicine is right for you and ensuring you choose the right A Levels to creating a winning medical school personal statement on your UCAS application and performing brilliantly at you medical school interview, you'll find everything you need to know about the medical school admissions process inside this fully updated edition of Getting Into Medical School. There's also information on studying medicine abroad (including GAMSATs), doing a pre-med course and advice on BMAT and UKCAT admissions tests. Packed full of expert advice and insider tips on getting into university, as well as information on current issues facing the medical profession (including medical ethics such as euthanasia, recent epidemics such as swine flu and changes in the NHS), Getting Into Medical School will give you a head start in one of the most competitive application processes in the UK. Whether you need to get to grips with medical terminology, want all the information on 2012 fees or want to learn how to write a personal statement that will improve your application this guide offers practical advice to help you get onto your chosen medical course. The book also contains a look towards your career in medicine with information on specialisation and salary - as well as details of alternative career options - ensuring you are fully equipped to convey your dedication and passion for medicine to the university admissions tutors."
	Get into Medical School - 600 UKCAT Practice Questions. Includes Full Mock Exam, comprehensive tips, techniques and explanations "With over 600 UKCAT practice questions (including a full mock exam), in-depth explanations, and comprehensive tips and techniques spanning over 400 pages, this book constitutes an ideal preparation tool for the UKCAT in 2011 (2012 entry), helping candidates save time, retain focus and optimise their score. The book shows how to approach each type of question (abstract, verbal and quantitative reasoning together with decision analysis) and helps candidates familiarise themselves with all the potential traps that can be laid by the examiners. The overwhelming range of exercises that it contains will enable all UKCAT candidates to refine and optimise their technique to answer questions under strict time constraints. This book replicates the breadth and depth of the different types of questions that can be asked in the live UKCAT test and the spectrum of difficulties that it covers (from normal to stretching), which makes it an ideal preparation tool for all those who want to achieve a high score and maximise their chances of getting into the medical school of their choice."