The University of Birmingham gives out the fourth most unconditional offers to applicants, new UCAS data has shown.

Over the past few years, the number of unconditional offers have increased dramatically. UCAS data reveals that most universities make conditional offers and most of the unconditional offers come from 20 institutions.

Nottingham Trent University gives out the most unconditional offers, making just over 40% of its applicants unconditional offers, followed by the University of Lincoln which gave out 6,150 unconditional places last year.

UoB is ranked fourth highest, making it the top Russell Group university to give out unconditional offers.

Out of 25,000 offers in 2018, the University of Birmingham offered 4,765 unconditional offers to applicants, 17% of the total offers made. This is a 1343.9% percentage increase compared to 2013 when the University only made 330 unconditional offers.

A University of Birmingham spokesperson said: ‘Unconditional offers form a small part of a wider and well developed admissions strategy that has a firm focus on supporting students to make the right choice for them. Our strategy includes a far greater proportion of conditional and contextual offers and is centred on recruiting students who will benefit the most from their time with us whilst minimising the stress associated with securing a University place.

‘In addition to reducing anxiety around exams, we track student retention data so we know that having an unconditional offer has no bearing on the likelihood of a student dropping out of their course.

‘We use a range of information as part of our approach including a student’s personal statement, reference, previous and predicted academic performance, contextual data as well as interviews and admission tests in certain subjects. Our criteria are reviewed regularly and students can gain early insight into the likelihood of them gaining an offer from us, including an unconditional offer, through the use of our Online Offer Calculator.’

A final-year English Literature student who received an unconditional offer from UoB said, ‘If anything, when I received my unconditional offer, I worked harder.’

‘It definitely took the pressure off, I don’t think a university offer being unconditional should be an easy way to get into university. You still have to work hard.’

UoB is not the only Russell Group university to give out large numbers of unconditional offers. The University of Nottingham is ranked 11th and has been criticised for doubling the amount of unconditional offers made over the last three years, offering nearly 3,000 in 2018. However, last week, Nottingham announced that it would no longer be offering unconditional offers.

Paul Greatrix, the registrar of the university said: ‘We want everyone to be fully confident that they are admitted purely on their merits and potential. That is why we are ending the use of unconditional offers.’

A spokesperson for the Universities UK group, which lobbies on behalf of British universities, said: ‘We will explore with UCAS if there is more we can do as a sector to ensure they are used appropriately and proportionately so that the admissions system continues to work in the best interests of students.’