Subject to demand: winners and losers in student applications, 2007-12

Demand for subjects such as English and history has fallen while applications to more job-oriented degree courses have climbed, an analysis by HSBC suggests.

The number of applications to vocational courses rose by 26 per cent between 2007 and 2012, says the study of Ucas data. Demand for subjects allied to medicine increased most (93 per cent), likely in part because of the recent introduction of a degree-entry requirement for nursing. Engineering, education and business rose by more than 9 per cent.

Meanwhile, non-vocational demand rose by just 6 per cent, with applications to history, philosophy, English and languages falling.

Source: Analysis by HSBC based on Ucas application data, 2007-12

elizabeth.gibney@tsleducation.com