St George's Bucks the Admissions Trend

According to figures released recently, the number of undergraduate students applying to courses at St George’s has risen by an impressive 8.2 per cent, in spite of an overall drop of 3.4 per cent in university applications across the UK.

The figures, compiled by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), relate to the number of students applying by the 15 January deadline for courses starting in September 2006.Applications have dropped for the first time in six years but a slight drop was anticipated in light of the introduction of higher fees for entry in 2006.

There has been a modest increase in the numbers of applications to preclinical medicine of 0.3 per cent nationally, but St George’s has received approximately 5,700 applications so far this year, which represents one of the largest increases of any institution in London.

Principal, Professor Michael Farthing, said “Despite the national trend, this substantial increase in applications acknowledges the quality of our teaching and our efforts to ensure that we recruit students of the highest calibre, irrespective of their social or educational background.  In addition to this clear evidence of success in widening access, we have made a substantial investment in our estate over the last year which has greatly enhanced the environment for our staff and students.”