The number of students who applied for UK university courses in the autumn has reached record levels, statistics are expected to show.
The Ucas figures are expected to show a rise in applications
Figures from the university admissions service, Ucas, are expected to show a rise in applications of more than 5%.
The rise is the first sign that higher fees are not deterring students.
Since September 2006, students in England have had to pay up to £3,000 a year towards tuition, although not until after graduation.
When these so-called "top-up fees" were introduced last year, applications fell 3%.
Government ministers and universities will be relieved that this trend has not continued.
The initial slump in applications may have been a one-off effect, similar to the one-year decline in 1998 when tuition fees were first introduced (then about £1,000 a year, but paid upfront).
The figures could show an overall increase in applications of 7%, although there are big variations between individual universities and across the different parts of the UK. Full details will be published by Ucas later.
In a separate report, the umbrella group Universities UK found there was no correlation between the level of fees charged by universities, or the bursaries offered, and the level of applications.
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