The number of unconditional offers made to university applicants is on the increase according to the latest update from UCAS.

In 2013, 2,985 unconditional offers accounted for 0.4% of all offers made to 18 year olds.  By 2018 this had risen to 67,915 unconditional offers – 7.1% of all offers made.

More than a fifth (22.9%) of 18 year old applicants received at least one unconditional offer this year before they had completed their qualification at school or college.

These statistics have caused great debate about the merits or otherwise of unconditional offers to the higher education sector and to the impacts that such offers might have on 16-18 year old learner achievement.

UCAS will publish a more detailed analysis of offer-making, including any impact on students’ attainment, later this year.