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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 28th October 2016
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Drop in EU applicants to UK universities - UCAS
book and stethoscope
Applicants from the EU fell to 6,240 (620 fewer than last year), marking the end of an upward trend seen in recent years.
Figures published on applications for early October deadline
 
There has been a nine per cent drop in the number of EU students applying for UK university courses with an early October deadline. This is according to new figures released by UCAS, the central organisation for processing applications.

The annual deadline for medicine, dentistry and veterinary degrees, as well as all courses at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, is 15 October. Data published this week shows there were a total of 57,190 applicants - a one per cent rise on last year.

However, applicants from the EU fell to 6,240 (620 fewer than last year), marking the end of an upward trend seen in recent years. Meanwhile, the number of applicants from England rose by three per cent.

Furthermore, the number of EU students applying for medicine degrees fell by 16 per cent. Overall, medicine applications fell by four per cent, continuing the annual decline that has been observed since 2014.

However, as only 10 per cent of eventual applicants typically apply by this early stage, the full picture will only become clear after the main deadline in January.

UCAS chief executive Mary Curnock Cook said: "We will be watching the numbers of EU applications in the run up to the January deadline, especially now that the Government has confirmed arrangements for continuing access to student loans for 2017 courses."

Around half of the veterinary surgeons who register to practice in the UK each year are from overseas - primarily the EU. In the wake of Brexit, there has been considerable uncertainty about the future working rights of EU veterinary surgeons and nurses currently working in the UK. A recent letter to the Prime Minister, signed by the RCVS and BVA presidents, highlighted the impact this is already having on the profession, due to the perception that the UK is no longer welcoming to EU professionals.

The main deadline for university applications is 14 January, 2016 and figures from UCAS will be published on 2 February.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.