English 18-year-olds are more likely than ever to apply to university, according to UCAS.

The university admissions body has published new figures on full-time undergraduate applications made by 30 June 2018 - the final deadline for applying to up to five universities or colleges simultaneously.

The figures show that in England a record 38.1 per cent of the 18-year-old population have applied to university.

This is a 0.2 percentage point increase on the application rate on this time in 2017.

The application rate in Wales was also up by 0.2 percentage points to 32.7 per cent, but it fell in Scotland to 32.8 per cent (down 0.2 percentage points) and in Northern Ireland (down 0.1 percentage points).

Clare Marchant, UCAS’ Chief Executive, said: ‘Today’s numbers confirm the enduring appeal of the full-time degree experience its own right and as a gateway to a fulfilling career.”