APPLICATIONS for universities has reached a record high, with the North West showing significant increases.

Research by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and assessed by UniHomes has revealed that applications by 18-year-olds have reach its highest level in almost a decade.

A four per cent rise on last year, and a 14 per cent rise on 2020, the rise comes within the context of universities looking to once again prioritise campus-based learning for the first time since the pandemic began.

The North West has seen a significant increase in the rates, the highest since 2016.

UniHomes said that with the rising cost-of-living, northern universities seem to be benefiting from students wanting to live further up north in cheaper cities to enjoy the student life as much as possible, as well as reduced cost of daily necessities.

Phil Greaves, Co-Founder and Director of UniHomes says. “As we see student life going back to normal, it’s great to see the rise in applications for universities."