ABS Response to UCAS Application Figures

The figures released today  by UCAS show that 2012 applications are up slightly on 2010 (by 2.7%)  for business and administrative studies (management) and pretty much identical between 2010 and 2012 across the sector as a whole (-0.1%).

The drop is far less than expected, but nevertheless a concern – 1 in 8 students at undergraduate level choose business and management as a discipline, we must continue to ensure Business and Management is made as attractive as possible to entrants given the new fee regime and visa regulations.

The economic implications could be substantial. A recent study by ABS and Nottingham Economics Centre at Nottingham Business School has found that schools generate £2bn in direct income for the UK economy, though no figures are available specifically for full-time MBA programmes.

The FT recently quoted that:
“On average, enrolment in 2011 on the 16 full-time UK MBA programmes participating in the Financial Times 2012 rankings, were down by about 10 per cent on the previous year, with a steeper decline of roughly 15 per cent in domestic students”.
 

The Association need to understand the impact on our individual members before we can comment further.   We will be undertaking further work to unpick and understand impact of institutional strategy on applications as process continues.