Final figures from UCAS show an overall rise of 7.4% (27,825) in the number of applicants who were accepted onto higher education courses by universities and colleges in the UK in autumn 2005. A total of 405,369 applicants were accepted onto courses in comparison with 377,544 in 2004.
Anthony McClaran, chief executive UCAS said, "The 2005 admissions cycle broke many records. For the first time, over half a million people applied through the UCAS scheme. Over 400,000 were successfully placed on higher education courses - another record."
The total number of accepted applicants under the age of 21 has risen by 7.7% (22,662). In addition, the total number of mature students accepted onto courses has increased by 6.2% (5,163).
31,059 applicants were accepted onto courses on a deferred basis, representing both a 9.2% increase on last year's figure and 7.7% of all applicants within the 2005 cycle.
Accepted applicants with an area of permanent residence in the UK have risen by 7.8% (25,949). A further breakdown indicates that English domiciled acceptances have risen by 8.9% and Welsh acceptances by 4.7%, while Scottish acceptances are down by 2%.
The total number of overseas applicants accepted onto courses has risen by 4.3% (1,876). This can be largely attributed to an increase in acceptances from EU countries.
The figures also highlight an increase of 60.9% (1,172) accepted applicants from Nigeria while acceptances from applicants domiciled in Ghana fell by 45.5% (-418). Some Far East countries also experienced decreases, with acceptances from China falling by 22.8% (-1,439), Malaysia by 9.5% (-198) and Singapore by 17.6% (-132).
Foundation degrees continue to be a popular route into higher education with the total number of acceptances up by 41.3% on last year's figure. Acceptances to HNDs are down by 17.2%, however. This is predominantly due to the expansion of the foundation degree pathway. | 
