Overseas students may get more time to apply

International students will get more time to apply for university places under plans being developed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

"The United Kingdom could be deterring students from overseas," said Michael Goldstein, vice-chancellor of Coventry University and UCAS chairman. "Many see the December 15 deadline as too early, and it is likely that we will move to a later date for international students."

Last week the prime minister launched an initiative to attract more fee-paying international students to the UK. He wants institutions to recruit 75,000 more overseas students by 2005.