Figures published recently by the Universities and Colleges and Admissions Service (UCAS) show that more women than men have been accepted to UK universities and colleges for courses starting in 2003.
The number of women accepted to full-time higher education courses currently
stands at 172,700, compared with 147,483 men. These are rises of 2.7% and 1.7%
respectively on last year. Over 21,000 more women than men in the under 21 age
group have been accepted onto courses for this year.
Applicants accepted to study social work at degree level have risen by 31.8%
on last year. Other notable increases are acceptances to forensic and archaeological
science (up by 26%) and nursing (up by 20.1%). Subject areas that are showing
a drop in accepted applicants compared with last year include production and
manufacturing (down by 13.3%), information systems (down by 13.1%) and electronic
and electrical engineering (down by 10.5%).
So far this year 320,182 applicants have been accepted through UCAS. Of these,
13,096 found a place in Clearing.