By Kieran Jones
Staffs University has received a massive 25% more applications on some courses from potential students this year than last.
It received 12,327 applications from prospective full time degree level students through UCAS by the January deadline.
Compared nationally Staffordshire University is doing well, with the average number of applications going up by 22.9%.
This record year is also the fourth successive year that full time undergraduate courses have seen a rise in applicants.
However all these extra applications clearly put added strain and competition on the place available this autumn.
UCAS chief executive, Mary Curnock Cook, said: “It is clear that once again we have seen a significant rise in applications which leaves us in no doubt that, as last year, this cycle will be very challenging and competitive for applicants and the higher education sector generally.”
This comes as more bad news for students applying to start in 2010 with £450 million less in funding already announced by the government. Individual universities such as Staffs will find out what they will be receiving later this month.
It is suggested the cut will lead to a around 6,000 less places for students nationally.
Professor Steve Smith, President of Universities UK, said: “The figures confirm that this year's applicants will be competing for places against a large number of people who previously applied in 2009.
“The significant increase in the number of mature applicants also shows that people are continuing to look to upskill and retrain to meet changing employer demands.”
Lord Mandelson, the University secretary, has said in response the announcement that university has always been competitive however there would be more would-be disappointed students this year.