The organization representing British universities has expressed concern about the potential effect of tuition fees（学费）after figures showed a drop of more than 6% in student applications with less than a month to go before the deadline for 2013 applications.
Data from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) showed there were 265,784 university applications by UK-based candiates up to 17 Decemeber, 6.3% down on the parallel period in the admissions cycle the year before. While this is less than the 8.4% year-on-uear fall seen in earlier Ucas figures, released in mid-November, the coming January deadline makes it ever more likely that the total 2013 applicant figure will see a second sizeable fall following the introduction of annual fees of up to ￡9,000.
Nicola Dandridge, the chairman of Universities UK, said : “However, we must be concerned about any drops in the numbers applying to university and in particular, we must look closely at how the increase in graduate contributions in England may be affecting the decisions of promising students. However ,the December figures show a drop in numbers across the UK, suggesting that it is not only a question of tuition fees in England putting off from applying.”
A report of the Uncas figures to mid-December shows a 6.5% fall for applicants in England and 11.7% for those in Wales, with smaller drops of 3.9% for Scotland and 0.5% for Nortern Ireland. Scotiish students at home insitiutions pay on fees, while those from Nothern Ireland have fees capped to ￡3,575 for Northern Irish universities.
Dandridge added: “No one should be put off applying to university because of worries about finance.”
“It is important that no one is put off applying to university because they do not have information about the student support available to them. Most new students don’t need to pay directly. There will be more financial support for those from poorer families and everyone will make lower loan repayments thatn they do now once they are in well paid jobs.”
小题1:A drop of more than 6% for 2013 applications is probably the effect of.A．the increased tuition feesB．the approaching deadlineC．the concern from applicantsD．the difficulties with applications小题2:Compared with the previous year, the fall in student applications is.A．3.9%B．6%C．6.3%D．8.4%小题3:Why is the fall for application the smallest in Soctoland and Northem lreland?A．Because they have more financial support.B．Because the tuition is much cheaper for them.C．Because the education is better there.D．Because the universities are free for them.小题4:Which of the following is true?A．The application for universities is on a rise continuously.B．The fall for applications is due to family problems.C．The education in Scotland and Northern Ireland is worse.D．The rise of tuition fees has an effect on applications.小题5:The last paragraph tells us that.A．everyone should apply to universityB．students may get financial supportsC．lower loan repayments is unavailableD．most new students will not pay fees