THE UNIVERSITY of the West of England is bucking the national trend of falling numbers of application by announcing a 10 per cent increase on last year.

Earlier this week, applications body UCAS announced there was a drop this year of applications to UK universities by four per cent, with a decline in application from international students by five per cent.

But based on statistics from last year, UWE Bristol has said it has seen a dramatic increase in potential students applying for courses.

Jo Midgley, UWE Bristol pro vice-chancellor, said: “It’s great to see that UWE Bristol is appealing to greater numbers of applicants and that we are bucking the trend nationally.

“The university has invested over £300 million in buildings, facilities and infrastructure to ensure that our students can thrive in an inspirational learning environment.

“We have nurtured partnerships with thousands of external organisations and businesses and we listen to our partners when we design our courses so that we can integrate the skills needed in the real world so our students are work ready when they graduate.”

UWE Bristol recently opened a £50 million state of the art building for the Bristol Business School, which they say “will transform how students are taught”.

The investment programme has extended to all sites and this September a new building will open at the Bower Ashton Campus in Bristol that will include new animation studios.

Last week UWE Bristol also came out top in the West for employability of graduates six months following graduation according to the latest Higher Education Statistical Agency (HESA) figures.

Professor Steve West, UWE Bristol president and vice-chancellor, said they were “delighted" to see the hard work and investment paying off.

He said: “We are committed to ensuring that our students get the best chance of succeeding whilst enjoying the best city in the UK.”