The gender gap in the race for university places is bigger than ever as young men become a ‘disadvantaged’ group on campus.
Nearly 95,000 more women than men applied to start degree courses this autumn as girls’ success at school translated into university applications.
Demand among both sexes rose this year despite £9,000-a-year tuition fees but applications from women grew faster, increasing four per cent against men’s three per cent.
Figures published by the University and Colleges Admissions Service show that 659,030 students submitted applications overall by the June 30 cut-off date – the second highest total on record.
It suggests demand for higher education is recovering following a sudden drop in applications sparked by the introduction of higher fees in 2012.
There had been signs that men were catching up with their female classmates in making applications to university but this year the trend reversed as women pulled further ahead.
Women made 376,860 applications – 94,690 more than men.
UCAS warned earlier this year that weak demand among men was becoming a more pressing issue that under-representation of youngsters from poor homes.
‘There remains a stubborn gap between male and female applicants which, on current trends, could eclipse the gap between rich and poor within a decade,’ said Mary Curnock Cook, UCAS chief executive.
‘Young men are becoming a disadvantaged group in terms of going to university and this underperformance needs urgent focus across the education sector.’
However men remain more likely to choose degrees in subjects which employers are increasingly demanding such as engineering.
The figures relate to applications to start degrees in the autumn. Those applying after the June 30 deadline will be encouraged to go through the clearing system.
The data also showed that university applications from international students are rising faster than home-grown students.
Demand from UK students rose three per cent while students from elsewhere in the European Union made five per cent more applications and those from the rest of the world six per cent more.
EU students made 45,380 applications and those from outside it put in 60,060.
Meanwhile degree courses which saw the biggest rise in demand were technology, which saw 13 per cent more applications, computer science, up 12 per cent and engineering, up 10 per cent.
Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, welcomed the figures but warned that women still less likely to study courses such as engineering.
‘The increase in applicants applying for subjects such as engineering and computing is also welcome. Those subjects play a vital role in meeting the skills needs of UK employers in globally competitive industries.
‘However, it is still a concern that the number of women applying to study these courses remains disproportionally low when compared to the number of male applicants.
'Universities are aware of this and continue to work hard to encourage women into technology and engineering through their outreach activities.’