Edge Hill continues to buck trend

Edge Hill?s student applications for 2006 entry are still looking strong ? despite recent figures reporting a 3.4% drop across the sector.

At present, Edge Hill?s figures are actually up by 8.3% with Performing Arts, Sport, English, Teaching and Health enjoying big rises in applications.

"Although it is early days ? students can apply right up to the start of the academic year ? these figures are obviously very encouraging," said Chief Executive John Cater. "It would however be hasty to suggest that the new system of tuition fees is the main factor behind the dip in applications across the sector, as higher education will become largely free at the point of entry and those from the poorest backgrounds will be considerably better off."

Edge Hill, which expects to become a university during 2006, is spending half of its new fee income on bursaries, including scholarships for siblings and privilege cards for study materials. There are also scholarships available for excellence in academia, creative arts, performing arts, volunteering, sport and access, along with a range of maintenance grants.

"I believe a range of factors have contributed to our pleasing number of applications thus far," added Dr Cater. "Our strong fees and bursary support package ? with around 60% of students expected to benefit from 'non-repayable? cash ? our heavy investment into facilities and developing course portfolio, all add up to Edge Hill being a popular choice for more and more students."