The first classes of the fall term at most British universities are scheduled to begin in less than a week, but as of last Friday, slots in degree programs in subjects like math, engineering, law, and nursing are still available according to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). At least 110 universities listed on UCAS, including prestigious schools like York, Leicester, and Surrey, were still advertising for students as late as last week, and at least 24 schools had slots open in more than 200 courses and multiple degree programs.
The difficulties experienced by schools in drawing students indicates truth in the prediction that British and EU students will be discouraged from pursuing university degrees in England due to the newly implemented tuition schedule that allows schools to charge up to £9,000 per year of study. The new fees, which go into effect for students who begin their studies for the first time this fall, are up to triple those charged in previous years.