According to figures released by UCAS, applications from all age groups are up on 2009 figures with those from older applicants seeing the largest percentage rises, continuing the recent trend of pronounced increases from mature applicants.

So far this year, 660, 953 people have applied to start full-time undergraduate courses this autumn, compared with 592,312 at the same point last year, representing an 11.6 per cent rise in applicant numbers,

Applicants aged 21-24 have risen by 14. 9 per cent; those aged 25-39 have risen by 22.6 per cent (up from 58,572 in 2009 to 71,785 in 2010); and those aged 40 and above by 23.3 per cent (up from 14,689 in 2009 to 18,105 in 2010)