University applications fell by 3 per cent in the year variable fees were introduced, according to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service's final figures for the 2006 entry.
The number of applications dropped from 522,155 in 2005 to 506,304 in 2006. The number of accepted higher education applicants also fell by 3.6 per cent in 2006 to 390,890.
Ucas said the overall upward trend in applications was continuing. From 2004 to 2006 there was a 4.2 per cent rise in applications (from 486,028 to 506,304) and a 3.5 per cent in accepted applicants (from 377,544 to 390,890).
Full breakdown by subject is available at http:///www.ucas.com