According to UCAS, figures currently stand at a total of 561,420 students applying for courses at higher education institutions. This is almost 2,500 more applications compared the this time last year.

Applicants from outside the European Union (EU) are also up 9% with 63,720 applications. EU applications have increased by 1%.

Experts are suggesting that a weaker pound makes the UK a cheaper place to study, which may be an extra incentive for internationals students to apply.

Clare Marchant, UCAS’ Chief Executive said, ‘In this time of uncertainty, it’s welcome news to see more EU and international students wanting to come and study in the UK.

‘Alongside this, demand from UK 18 years old students remains strong, despite the falling numbers of this age group in the population. The unexpected rise in the application rate from English 18 year olds, against the population trend, signals they still recognise the challenge and rewards of full-time undergraduate study.’

In England, 38.8% of 18 year olds have applied to a UK university which a 1.4% percent increase on the application rate in 2018. Despite this, it is still  a 1.8% fall over all in the number of 18 year-olds applying.

More students from areas of low income have contributed to the increase in admissions to university. UCAS stats show that  23.2% of people who are categorised as living in the most disadvantaged areas of the UK have applied, which is an increase of 1.3% since 2018.

Alistair Jarvis, Chief Executive of Universities UK states ‘We are also pleased to see a record high in the percentage of young people from disadvantaged areas applying to universities.’

Speaking to The Independent, Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) think tank said: ‘There is so much uncertainty at the moment with Brexit but getting a degree is almost an insurance policy against future problems.

‘We know that the people that are most worried about Brexit are young people. They are the ones who think, rightly or wrongly, that the future has been made more difficult for them.’

Redbrick spoke to a final year International Business with Communications UoB student on their thoughts of this rise. They said: ‘I’m happy that more people are applying to study at uni. Universities these days offer so many variations of degrees, diplomas and apprenticeships to help students realise their potential and to challenge themselves. So, I think this is really positive.’