Higher-tariff university applications up 60 per cent since 2012

Higher-tariff universities are now receiving twice as many applications as lower-tariff alternatives in a reversal of the situation of two decades ago, according to a new analysis.

The balance in applications that existed when fees rose in 2012 has “completely disappeared”, consultancy DataHE found.

Applications made by the 30 June Ucas deadline between 2006 and 2026 were analysed in light of changes to tariff bands introduced by the admissions service this year.

Ucas has expanded its groupings beyond the traditional higher, medium and lower tariffs to include new categories focused on smaller and specialist providers.

Applying these new categories to past admissions data shows the appeal of some institutions is proving considerably stronger than others.

In 2006, lower-tariff providers received the highest number of applications by the summer deadline (around 880,000), followed by higher-tariff (about 690,000) and medium-tariff providers (about 550,000).

Six years later, in 2012, universities were first given the chance to charge as much as £9,000 per year under the new tuition fees system. Higher- and lower-tariff providers received nearly the same number of applications – about 930,000 each – with medium-tariff providers languishing on 640,000.

By 2026, higher-tariff institutions have seen application numbers rise by about 60 per cent while lower-tariff providers have seen theirs drop by nearly 20 per cent.

Higher-tariff providers now receive about 1.5 million June deadline applications – roughly twice as many as lower-tariff providers.

This means that the decisions made by these universities during the confirmation and clearing periods are having an “increasingly disproportionate influence on the rest of the sector”.

“Lower tariffs have a hard job ahead and higher-tariff institutions are in control of the situation – though it doesn’t mean everything’s easy for them,” said Lucia Costantini, senior consultant at DataHE, which is part of Times Higher Education.

Specialist providers – classified as those who accept more than 75 per cent of entrants in one subject, 85 per cent in two subjects, or 90 per cent in three subjects – “stand out”, Costantini’s analysis finds, with applications up about 50 per cent over the period – “albeit from a much smaller base”.

Costantini said “the root of this is always the financial equation”.

Higher-tariff institutions have better “standing power”, with their reputation meaning they inspire more international students to enrol. “That’s why students might pick them – for that spending power and the experience they can provide,” Costantini said.

“Medium-tariff providers have always received fewer applications – that depends also on how many institutions are within that grouping, but they were always a smaller group than higher- and lower-tariff providers… they had a slightly more positive last year in clearing.

“I suppose they’re managing to scoop up some of the students that higher-tariff institutions are leaving behind a little bit. Lower-tariff providers maybe were struggling a little bit more. Again, I think this year is probably going to be a bit more of the same.”

Ucas data released earlier this month revealed British universities have offered a record number of places to school-leavers for 2026-27, making 100,000 more offers than last year.

The total number of 18-year-olds seeking a university or college place through Ucas, including those who applied before the 30 June deadline, rose 5 per cent to 344,760. Across all ages and locations, applications grew, hitting 695,740 – up 4.6 per cent from last year’s figure.

georgia.luckhurst@timeshighereducation.com