Rise in university applications from UK

18-year-olds, figures show

Latest figures cap decade-long rise in proportion of school-leavers
opting for higher education

The number of applicants from disadvantaged areas has also continued to

rise. Photograph: Chris Ison/PA
Richard Adams Education editor
Thu 17 Feb 2022 00.01 GMT
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The number of British 18-year-olds aiming to go to university directly

from school continues to increase at a record pace, according to figures
that show a surge in applications this year.

The number of school-leavers applying for undergraduate courses

starting in September increased by another 5% at the initial January
deadline, faster than the age group’s demographic growth and after two
successive years of steep rises in applications.

According to the Ucas university admissions service, 320,000 sixth

formers have applied for university places so far, compared with
306,000 in 2021 and almost 50,000 more than at the same stage in
2019.

The latest figures cap a decade-long increase in the proportion of

school-leavers opting for higher education. In England alone, 44% of
all 18-year-olds applied in January, the highest on record. Ten years
previously, in 2013, just 33% did so.

There were also record rates of applications among students in Wales

and Northern Ireland, while those in Scotland were second only to the
rate recorded last year.

The number of applicants from disadvantaged areas has also continued

to rise, with 28% of 18-year-olds from areas with the lowest
educational attainment applying, compared with just under 18% in
2013.

Clare Marchant, Ucas chief executive, said universities had made

greater use of online recruitment events such as virtual open days, as
well as advertising courses on social media, during the Covid
pandemic.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College

Leaders, which represents most secondary schools, said the rise in
applications from disadvantaged areas was a testament to the hard
work of teachers during the pandemic.

“However, it needs to be remembered that far fewer disadvantaged

young people enter higher education than their more advantaged
peers, and that this gap is particularly stark at the most selective
universities,” Barton said.

Applications by international students through Ucas remained flat,

thanks to a continued fall in the number of students from the EU
applying. Since the UK’s formal exit, students from the EU face paying
higher fees, and their numbers have slumped from nearly 17,000
applicants in 2019 to 10,000 this year.

Record numbers of UK students to get first choice of university

Read more

However, stronger growth among non-EU applicants has led to nearly

43,000 applications. 12% more students from China applied for
courses, making a total of 14,500, and another 3,000 from Hong Kong.

Last year also saw a sharp increase in the number of mature students
aged over 21 applying for first degree courses. But as fears around the
post-pandemic labour market receded, applications have fallen this
year by 17%.

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The increased application rate among sixth formers in England

suggests that the appetite for higher education remains undimmed,
despite the government’s efforts to talk up the benefits of alternatives
such as apprenticeships or other training.

Michelle Donelan, the universities minister for England, said in a

speech that, from next year, universities would be asked to include
credit card-style smallprint on advertising for courses, including how
many students go on to graduate-level jobs.
 “Just like a credit card advertisement including information about
APR, university adverts will reflect the need for students to understand
where a course can take them,” Donelan said.

Donelan also announced that Ucas was to reform the use of personal
statements by students as part of their university applications, amid
concerns that the statements favoured more advantaged students.

New York girl missing for two years

found alive in a hidden staircase room
The biological non-custodial parents, who police believe
abducted the six-year-old, have been arrested and charged

Paislee Shultis, 6, was found by New York police in a makeshift room

underneath a staircase in the girl’s grandfather’s house. Photograph:
Saugerties Police Department/Reuters
Reuters
Wed 16 Feb 2022 23.46 GMT
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Two years after she went missing, a six-year-old girl has been found
alive and in good health in a makeshift room underneath a staircase in
a house in New York state, according to police who said they suspected
she was abducted by her biological non-custodial parents.

Officers found the girl, Paislee Shultis, on Monday in a house in the

town of Saugerties, two years after she went missing from Spencer,
New York, about 180 miles (290 km) to the west, the Saugerties police
department said in a statement on Tuesday.

At the time, police believed her biological parents, Kimberly Cooper,

33, and Kirk Shultis Jr, 32, abducted her, they said. The couple did not
have custody of the girl, police said.

Kirk Shultis Jr and Kimberly Cooper were charged with custodial interference
and endangering the welfare of a child. Photograph: Stefan Jeremiah/Reuters
On Monday, police said they received a tip about the girl’s whereabouts
and obtained a search warrant.

They said they went to the girl’s grandfather’s house where they
searched for about an hour before locating the child hidden in a
makeshift room, under a closed staircase leading to the basement.

Upon removing the step boards, the girl and her mother Kimberly were
found hiding in the dark and wet enclosure, police said.

Paislee was taken to police headquarters where paramedics examined

her, police told the Daily Freeman, the community’s local newspaper.
The girl was in good health and released to her legal guardian.

Police arrested her parents and the girl’s grandfather Kirk Shultis, 57.
They face charges of custodial interference and endangering the
welfare of a child.

Police said they interviewed Kirk Shultis Jr several times since the girl
went missing. He maintained that he had no knowledge of her location
and told officers that he had not seen the child.

You, version 2022: ten top ways to boost

your wellbeing this year
PROMOTED CONTENT
Whether you’re planning to overhaul your hair and skin, pamper your pet or bag
a better night’s sleep, these easy ideas are dedicated to helping you live better
Rosie Mullender
January 22 2022, 12:01am

The new year is a time when you’re supposed to discover a “new you” – usually one
that’s suddenly slimmer, fitter and better at filing tax returns on time.
But with so much going on in the world right now, embarking on a self-improvement
mission may not be tempting. So perhaps, instead, it’s time to look at simple ways to
boost your lifestyle without so much effort.

Perhaps you pine for thicker, fuller hair without the regular blow-dries or plan to soothe
your eczema? Do you want to check those hard-to-see moles, need more vitamin D or
dream of rejuvenating the appearance of your skin?
Or maybe you’re looking for new ways to ease your aches, clean up your living space,
get a proper night’s rest or improve your pet’s health.
These ten brands have some clever suggestions to help give you a boost this year,
without the need to commit to a dramatic (and unlikely) reboot. Here’s not to the new
you – but to the old you, only better.

Growing strong

If banishing bad hair days is near the top of your 2022 wish list, it could be time to
overhaul your hair products.

The award-winning Watermans Grow Me Shampoo is packed with ingredients

engineered to revitalise problem hair. Designed to be used on all hair types, its
supercharged formula is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals to help create the
optimum scalp environment for healthier hair, making it appear thicker-looking and
stronger.

Grow Me is guilt-free, too: made right here in the UK, it’s sulphate and paraben-free,
and certified by The Vegan Society.

As with any shampoo, you won’t see results overnight, but regular use can help turn bad
hair days into good ones and give your crowning glory the kiss of life.

Find out more and buy yours at Watermanshair.com, Boots and Amazon.

The eczema game-changer

As anyone with eczema knows, this pernicious skin condition can cause frustration,
discomfort and even embarrassment. Certain bad bacteria can disrupt the skin’s
microbiome – the invisible microorganisms that live on our skin, and contribute to its
health – which, in turn, can cause or aggravate eczema symptoms.

Thankfully, help is at hand: in a new study into the effects of creams that target these
bad bacteria, Gladskin’s eczema treatment was shown to significantly reduce symptoms
such as redness and itching. An impressive 95 per cent of adults and 100 per cent of
children reported a significant improvement in their quality of life after using the cream
for two weeks.

Gladskin is the first product to contain the active ingredient Staphefekt SA.100™, an
enzyme that kills bad bacteria while leaving good bacteria unharmed, which means it
can also help ease other inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne and rosacea.

If you suffer from inflamed skin, head to gladskin.co.uk, @Gladskin on Twitter

and @Gladskin.eu on Instagram to find out more.

Here comes the sun

While we’re all busy making positive changes, the gloomy weather at this time of year
means a crucial feelgood factor is missing from our lives. The body naturally produces
Vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight, but it’s currently in all too short
supply – which is where SunVit-D3 supplements come in.
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphate, which can boost the health of
our bones, teeth and muscles, and also contributes to the normal functioning of a healthy
immune system.
Recommended by healthcare professionals, SunVit-D3’s supplements are free from
gluten and dairy, and certified by The Vegetarian Society, with some products also
suitable for vegans. There are options for adults and children, and they’re particularly
recommended for those in certain risk groups, such as the elderly, pregnant and
housebound.
If you could do with a drop of sunshine, go to sunvitD3.co.uk and use the code
SUNSHINE20 at the checkout to receive a 20 per cent discount on all supplements.

Don’t ignore that mole

As the skin is the body’s largest organ, you need to look after it – so keeping an eye on
your moles should be a regular part of your wellness routine.

Run by highly experienced consultant dermatologists, Derma Reading is Berkshire’s

only private dermatology clinic to offer both medical and aesthetic services with
specifically trained dermatology nurses and doctors. It offers investigations and
treatments for skin, hair and nails, as well as full-body mole mapping for early detection
of skin cancers.

Using the latest technology, Derma Reading boasts one of the best total body
dermoscopy machines available, enabling dermatologists to create a detailed report that
identifies any concerning moles and recommends next steps. If potentially cancerous
moles are identified, you can have them treated at Derma Reading or you can be
referred back to the NHS.

If you’re currently waiting for a dermatology appointment on the NHS, you can also ask
your GP for a private referral. Derma Reading is recognised by all major health
insurance companies.

For more information, or to book an appointment, visit dermareading.co.uk or phone

0118 466 0935.

A healthier home

As we continue to experience the impact of Covid-19, many of us are investing in

diagnostic devices to help us keep on top of our health if we find ourselves falling ill.

HoMedics’ range of home wellness tools includes a fingertip pulse oximeter and
infrared thermometer, which are similar to those used by your doctor. These allow you
to keep an eye on your blood oxygen levels and temperature – which can be affected by
Covid-19 – at home.

HoMedics’ TotalClean air purifiers can make your living space more hygienic by
removing up to 99.97 per cent of impurities, including bacteria, dust, allergens and
pollen. Available in a range of sizes, they can also help keep your home or office safe
from viruses, for extra peace of mind.

Bag yourself 15 per cent off selected products at homedics.co.uk by using code
THWJ22 at the checkout – it’s valid until January 31, 2022.

Hit refresh
Skinfluencer is an aesthetics brand with a unique concept: offering medical-grade
treatments through a concierge-led client journey in a boutique setting.

Armed with the latest hero technologies, such as the Cutera Enlighten III, Fotona
Dynamis Pro, Cutera Secret RF, Cutera ExcelV+, Ultraformer and CoolSculpting,
Skinfluencer’s doctors and aestheticians – all global leaders with a minimum of 15
years’ experience – can help transform the appearance of your skin by manipulating and
layering complementing therapies such as radiofrequency, ultrasound and light.

These patented protocols have quirky names that belie their genius: “Glow Baby Glow”
and “Pucker Up” deliver brilliant results that push the boundaries of what is possible to
achieve with an aesthetics treatment – and with minimal downtime, too.

Thanks to this approach of combining energy-based treatments with micro amounts of

injection-based interventions, Skinfluencer has been nominated as a Best New Clinic
UK and Ireland finalist in 2022’s Aesthetics Awards.

Find Skinfluencer @skinfluencer.official on Instagram.

Revolutionary reboot

Regenerative medicine, which uses the power of your own body to restore healthy
tissue, is poised to play a key role in aesthetics in 2022.

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy takes a small blood sample and separates out the
platelet-rich plasma for injection back into areas of your body in need of regeneration.
It’s a non-surgical path towards soothing tendons and joints, treating hair loss and
thinning, and tackling age-related deterioration in skin quality.

PRP preparation systems differ hugely in terms of quality and safety, which means
choosing the right PRP is the best way of getting the results you’re looking for.

Cellenis PRP is a market leader, with full regulatory approval* and published evidence
of its efficacy. So, if your wellness plan includes PRP, it makes sense to ensure your
clinician is using a leading product like Cellenis before taking the plunge.

For more information, visit medira.co.uk

*CE certified (Class IIb), ISO 13485 approved working under strict GMP regime.
Supercharge your sleep
Working out how to get a better night’s sleep often falls to the bottom of our wellness
to-do lists – but Sleepseeker makes bagging good-quality rest a lot easier.
The bedding retailer’s wellbeing collection includes a range of pillows and blankets that
offer unique support, extra comfort and subtle scents to help you de-stress and drift off
when you slide into bed.
Weighted blankets are proven to help support people with stress and anxiety, while a
heated mattress topper will ward off chills that might otherwise keep you awake.
V-shaped, mouldable and huggable body pillows can help you find the comfiest
position for sleep, and offer support for pregnancy bumps, as well as neck, leg and
back discomfort. Or you might choose a soothing anti-allergy or scented pillowcase,
infused with lavender, vanilla or CBD.
However you’d like to sleep better, use the code SLEEPSEEKER10, and you’ll receive
10 per cent off full-priced items at sleepseeker.co.uk.

Premium pet care

While you’re working on your own wellness, don’t forget to include your furry
friends. Pet Drugs Online is a pet pharmacy run by vets and staffed by animal lovers.
For 18 years, the team has loved and cared for their own pets as well as their
customers’, and their aim is simple: to provide the best for your pets, just as they do for
their own.

As the UK’s largest fully licensed and accredited online pet pharmacy, Pet Drugs
Online’s products are sourced from the same suppliers as your own vet. The team can
also offer advice to help to keep your pets healthy and happy, and allow you to love
them for longer – all while cutting down on costs.

Browse the bestsellers at petdrugsonline.co.uk, and you could save up to 65 per cent on
keeping your pet just the way they should be – with a mischievous glint in their eye, and
their tail wagging at the thought of tea time…

Canine health and happiness

Your new year’s wellness plan might have included a nutritional overhaul – and it’s the
perfect time to look at your dog’s dietary needs, too. It’s easy to overfeed your four-
legged friend, but a dog’s weight can have a huge impact on its health.
Butternut Box is a way of feeding your pet that’s been developed by dog lovers, using
scientific research and the input of an expert nutrition team. Treating your pooch to a
varied, balanced and tasty food plan that’s tailored to their needs takes the guesswork
out of their mealtimes.
Butternut Box’s meals are freshly prepared, easily digestible (meaning more essential
nutrients are absorbed) and an easy way to manage your dog’s weight – and they’re
enjoyed by even the fussiest eaters.