Top up fees fail to dampen spirits as university applications rise

The onset of university top up fees has not hit applications for quantity surveying courses, according to new figures released from UCAS.

The figures show that applications are up in all built environment courses for the 2006/7 year, bucking a 3.4% drop in overall students applying for studies in autumn this year. Applications for building courses, which include QS degrees, were up 0.5% on last year to 11,339. UCAS has also released equally rosy figures showing an 18% jump in confirmed acceptances for courses in 2005.

The positive picture painted by the UCAS numbers was backed by heads of university construction departments. At Liverpool John Moores University, head of construction studies Brian Greenhalgh said applications for its QS course had gone up 15% this year compared to 2005.

The numbers have been healthy and we think they will continue to rise

Brian Greenhalgh, head of construction studies, LJMU

He said there was fear that previous rises in applicants for QS courses were a "blip". "Last year was the final opportunity for students to apply before having to pay fees," he said. "But numbers have been healthy and we think they will continue to rise." There are 40 students who started the full-time QS course at LJMU last year.

Sector skills body ConstructionSkills also welcomed the figures. Spokesperson Ruth Cass said vocation courses were now proving more popular. She said: "With the rise of tuition fees for students going into higher education, we believe that more students are taking their post degree employability into account in their course choice."

ConstructionSkills has launched a £1m grant scheme to fund undergraduates through building-related degrees. The scheme, called Inspire Scholarships, offers 120 students up to £9,000 to help them though their courses. It will provide on-site experience with employers, as well as the possibility of a permanent job after graduation.