16.02.06
Cornwall bucks university applications trend

Applications to university-level courses in Cornwall have risen dramatically this year, in marked contrast to national figures published by the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), which show a 3.4% fall.

Many of the partner universities and colleges that make up the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) have reported large increases in applications compared with 2005. Applications to the University of Exeter's courses at the Tremough campus have risen by over 27%, with applications for its Camborne School of Mines programmes, up by more than 50%. Cornwall College has reported a 25% rise in applications for its higher education courses and Truro College has reported a 20% increase.

Gordon Kelly, CUC coordinator, commented: "We're delighted that Cornwall is bucking the national trend for applications. These figures reflect both the tremendous expansion of university-level provision that has taken place in the region and the efforts our partners have made to ensure that people from all backgrounds are not deterred from studying for financial reasons. The application rates reported by our partners are especially impressive when you consider the exceptional number of 2005 applications that were deferred for a year, as students tried to secure a place before the fees increased."

For further information please contact David Kirk in the CUC PR and Communications office on 01326 370471 or email: david.kirk@cuc.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall Project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2 through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).

Editor's notes:

The Combined Universities in Cornwall is a dynamic and visionary partnership that is one of the driving forces behind Cornwall's renaissance. This partnership combines the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, University College Falmouth, The Open University, The College of St Mark & St John, and the Peninsula Medical School, with Cornwall's Further Education colleges - Cornwall College, Truro College and Penwith College. It aims not only to provide the students of the future with more choice and greater opportunities, but also to boost the economic fortunes of the region for the benefit of one and all.

Phase 1 of the CUC initiative has been invested in by the Objective One programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Phase 2 of the CUC initiative is being invested in by the Objective One programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the Department for Education and Skills, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, and the South West Regional Development Agency. The CUC is the flagship project of the Objective One programme.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

back to top