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University entry rate

Percentage of 18-year-olds in the UK accepted into higher education through UCAS (end-of-cycle entry rate).

38 %
+0.9pp vs 2024

As of 2025

Historical trend

Trend summary

University entry rate was 38% in 2025, up from 37% in 2024.

Trend

  • Over the available record (2017–2025), it has ranged from 33% in 2017 to 39% in 2021.
  • The latest reading is above the record average of 36%.

Context

  • UCAS publishes application data at multiple points in the cycle; the January deadline and end-of-cycle figures are the most complete.
  • UK applications exclude international students, who are counted separately by UCAS.

Generated from the published series — describes direction, magnitude and range only, with no editorial judgement or forecasts.

About this indicator

Source
UCAS
Update frequency
Annual
Last updated
18 August 2026
Next update
18 August 2027
Licence
OGL v3
Direction
↑ Rising

Statistics

Latest
38%
Period high
38%
Period low
37%
Period average
37%