A record number of students have declared a disability or mental health condition in their Ucas application, the university admissions service has revealed.
According to Ucas data, the number of accepted applicants who shared a mental health condition increased from 16,000 in 2019 to 22,000 in 2022 (up 125%) and 36,000 in 2023 (up 63.6%).
Similarly, those who shared a disability rose from 58,000 in 2019 to 77,000 in 2022 (up 77.5%) and 103,000 in 2023 (up 33.8%).
The rise comes after Ucas unveiled new questions and developed the collection of information about student needs, such as mental health and disability conditions, in its admissions process.
Ucas says its process improvements will help students get the right support and highlight individual needs earlier on.
'Students feel comfortable in sharing a disability or mental health condition'
The interim chief executive of Ucas, Sander Kristel, said: "The figures show growing numbers of students feel comfortable in sharing a disability or mental health condition as part of their UCAS application.
"There is nothing worse than a student dropping out or not meeting their potential due to a university not being aware of an individual need that they could have supported with, and the data shows the risk of this is reducing."
He added: "While geopolitics, the economy and job market as well as rising living costs have all played a role in influencing this year's cycle, we continue to see a strong commitment among young people to go to university or college.
"It is encouraging to see the number of UK-18-year-olds accepted onto a course remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, down to a growing 18-year-old population and confidence in the value of a degree."
Gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students has widened
Ucas also reveals that the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students enrolling in higher education has widened.
However, Ucas also reported that the second highest of 18-year-olds from the UK’s most deprived areas got a place at college or university.
Despite a slight drop from 2022’s high of 32,415 (down 2.5%), the number was still higher than in 2019 when 26,535 UK 18-year-olds from the most deprived areas secured a place. The Ucas data also reveals:
- There were 554,465 acceptances (all domiciles, all ages) - a drop from 563,175 in 2022 (-1.5%) but a rise on 541,240 in 2019 (+2.4%)
- 271,735 UK 18-year-olds have been admitted - a fall from 277,315 in 2022 (-2.0%) but a growth from 2019’s 241,515 (+12.5% - an addition of 30,000 which reflects the expanding 18-year-old population)
- Numbers of accepted international students has dropped - 71,570 so it’s a decline from 73,820 in 2022 (-3.0%) and 2019’s 76,905 (-6.9%). When broken down, the numbers show that acceptances from outside the EU have risen with 61,055 acceptances, a decrease from 62,455 in 2022 (-2.2%) but a significant rise from 2019’s 45,455 (+34%)
- Mature student numbers (aged 21 and above) also fell - 146,560 compared to 152,490 in 2022 (-3.9%) but a growth on 145,015 in 2019 (+1.1%).
'The rate of mental health issues'
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: "These very significant numbers reflect what we are hearing in schools and colleges which is that the rate of mental health issues has been rising for some time and continues to do so."
He added: "It is very concerning to see that the entry rate gap to higher education between the most and least disadvantaged has widened compared to the previous year."
A Department for Education spokesperson said: "It is encouraging that more students are feeling comfortable declaring a mental health condition or disability when applying for university.
"This is key to ensuring that they get the support they need to reach their full potential.
"We have implemented measures to ensure that students' mental health and wellbeing is supported, including for students' transition to university and partnerships with local NHS providers."
'University applications are still strong'
Simon Thompson, the managing director of Accommodation for Students, said: "The figures from Ucas show that university applications are still strong and will be for several years to come.
"That is good for the student accommodation sector and the number of 18-year-olds is still set to grow - student landlords will be pleased to hear that demand will not be falling for some time yet."
He added: "However, many landlords will also be concerned at the rise in the number of mental health issues being reported by students and be aware that we should offer support to our tenants if we can."
