UNITED KINGDOM

UK: Rush for university places wanes
The surge in the number of university applicants has finally waned after a decade of record rises, amid concerns that higher tuition fees are already deterring students, writes Kate Loveys for the Daily Mail.The number of applicants for this year is up by only 1.4% on this time last year, according to figures published by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Although the total is still a record, and more than 200,000 applicants are likely to be left without a place, the increase is believed to be the smallest in more than three decades and is in stark comparison to last year's rise of 15%. Experts had predicted a massive rush to get on courses this year before tuition fees rise to up to £9,000 (US$14,724) a year in autumn 2012, with the average at around £8,600. They believed many students will cancel plans for a gap year to avoid soaring fees.
Full report on The Daily Mail site