Record numbers signing up to study medicine at university, figures show

New figures reveal a six per cent increase across the UK

Alison Kershaw
Thursday 07 November 2019 07:54 GMT
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Dentistry has also seen a rise in 2019 applicants
Dentistry has also seen a rise in 2019 applicants

Record numbers of would-be doctors are signing up to study medicine.

New Ucas figures show a six per cent increase on the number of people applying to take a degree in the subject, compared to last year.

The deadline for applications to begin medicine, as well as dentistry and veterinary science courses next autumn, was on October 15.

This is also the deadline for potential students to apply for degree courses at Oxford and Cambridge.

Ucas figures show that 23,710 people have applied to study medicine, with increases in applicants from all four countries of the UK (a total of 18,500 UK applicants, up five per cent from last year).

Applications from EU students for medicine degrees are up one per cent to 1,680, while applications from students outside of the EU have risen 10 per cent to 3,530.

There has been an expansion in the number of medical school places available at English universities for the third year in a row, Ucas said.

Overall, 68,680 students have applied for all degree courses with an October 15 deadline, up four per cent from last year, the admissions service added.

Ucas chief executive, Clare Marchant, said: “I’m inspired by the record number of students who are ready to take on the challenge of demonstrating they have the knowledge, skills, and potential to succeed on these ever-competitive courses.”

Press Association

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