We received written evidence from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), which told us that it also projected growth in recruitment of both domestic 18-year-olds and international students between now and 2026. UCAS projected that the 2026 admissions cycle would have one million applicants compared with just over 700,000 in 2021. About 40% of this increase would be attributable to growth in demand from UK 18- year-olds (driven by increases in both application rates and the p...

We received written evidence from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), which told us that it also projected growth in recruitment of both domestic 18-year-olds and international students between now and 2026. UCAS projected that the 2026 admissions cycle would have one million applicants compared with just over 700,000 in 2021. About 40% of this increase would be attributable to growth in demand from UK 18- year-olds (driven by increases in both application rates and the population), with the remaining 60% driven by continued growth in demand from mature and international students.27 The OfS assured us that it would be che Type: conclusion | Number: 15 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 4: PAC conclusion: We are concerned that the financial sustainability of some providers is being put at risk by their heavy dependence on their ability to continue growing overseas student numbers. 4: PAC recommendation: The Department, drawing on OfS analysis as