A total of more than 560,000 people have applied to start a full time undergraduate course in 2019, almost 2,500 more than at the equivalent point last year, and the first increase in three years, according to new figures from UCAS.

Overall, a record breaking 38.2% of 18-year olds in the UK have applied for a full time undergraduate course, up from 37.1% last year. However, the ongoing demographic trend sees fewer people turning 18 this year, and while the proportion of 18-year olds applying rose, the total number of UK applicants of all ages decreased by 0.7% overall.

Applicants from outside the UK, meanwhile, increased to their highest levels on record. Overall, 19.2% of all applicants are from outside the UK.

Neil Armstrong, student property partner at Knight Frank, commented: “A record breaking 38.2% of 18 year olds in the UK have applied for a full time undergraduate course. This, alongside an increase in EU applicants and the highest ever recorded total applicants from outside the EU, reaffirms the global appeal of UK Higher Education.”