A record number of students have been accepted on to UK university courses, with the most-selective universities the biggest beneficiaries of the rising demand.

On A-level results day, data from the admissions service Ucas show that a total of 439,180 applicants have been accepted in 2025 ¨C up 3.1 per cent on last year.

Rising student demand has largely come from young people within the UK. Of these total applicants, a peak 58 per cent were from UK 18-year-olds. This proportion has risen from just 49 per cent in 2019.

The number of UK 18-year-olds accepted at their first-choice institution rose by 4.5 per cent on 2024, while the number placed at their insurance option also rose by 6 per cent. The proportion of offer holders who achieved their first choice remains the same as last year, at 82 per cent, given a rise in the number of 18-year-olds applying in general.?

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Ucas said this means that the UK 18-year-old entry rate on results day stands at 32 per cent ¨C a slight increase on the year before.

Along with strong student demand, experts had predicted that the sector¡¯s precarious financial position would result in a ¡°cut-throat¡± recruitment round.

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Among UK 18-year-olds, the number accepted by higher-tariff institutions increased by 7.2 per cent ¨C off the back of a 13.8 per cent jump last year.

It means that a record 40.9 per cent of this cohort will attend the most selective universities in the country. This is up from 40 per cent last year and 37.1 per cent in 2023. In comparison, lower-tariff universities accepted?only 26.7 per cent of this demographic and medium-tariff 32.4 per cent.

And these top universities also grew their share of the international market by a record amount.

A total of 52,640 international undergraduate students were accepted for 2025, which was the largest increase for three years. And a record 36,530 (69.4 per cent) went to higher-tariff providers.

The 9 per cent increase was also a high and in sharp contrast to lower-tariff providers, which saw a 13.6 per cent fall.

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There was also some more concerning news for the sector outside of 18-year-olds, with the number of UK mature students falling by 2.4 per cent.

Jo Saxton, Ucas chief executive, said: ¡°This year¡¯s students were just?13 when the pandemic hit, and their secondary schooling was turned upside down. It¡¯s great to see these applicants securing a university place in record numbers, seeking more education and investing in their futures. I am equally delighted to see how universities across the country have responded to their ambition.

¡°For any student who didn¡¯t quite get the grades they were hoping for, or even those still yet to apply, there are plenty of options in Clearing with around 27,000 available courses.¡±

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Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, said the increase in applications confirms that people rightly recognise the value of going to university.

¡°It is particularly positive that we have seen an increase in students going to university from the least advantaged backgrounds.?The economy needs graduates and the skills they will develop throughout their time at university.¡±

A total of 40,360 18-year-olds from the most deprived areas of the UK were accepted this year. A 6 per cent increase on 2024, this was a larger increase than among the least deprived applicants.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government will work to reduce the ¡°entrenched inequalities¡± that affect young people, particularly ¡°those from white working class backgrounds who have long been overlooked¡±.

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Speaking before the release of the results, she added: ¡°We¡¯re already taking decisive action and making encouraging progress. With great options from degree apprenticeships and high-quality technical qualifications to traditional university routes, we are giving young people the tools they need to get great jobs, fill talent gaps, and help drive economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.¡±

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com