APPLICATIONS to join UCS have continued to rise as more students opt to study in Suffolk.

Ipswich Star: More students are applying to study at UCS.More students are applying to study at UCS. (Image: Archant)

UCAS applications across UCS have increased by 8.2% compared to this time last year. This figure exceeds a national trend, which has seen applications rise by 3% year-on-year, according to UCAS.

Student recruitment and marketing manager Karen Hinton has been with UCS for three years.

She said: “The fees rise obviously meant there was a drop in applications for the first year, but UCS has been out talking to students and they are listening and seeing the benefits of university.

“I think students are expecting more for their fees and at UCS, we’ve been talking a lot about employability. UCS is small enough that we get to know the students and they don’t get lost here.

“We’re five years old and the campus has developed a lot, so we’re doing well. It’s really positive.”

EU applications have also risen by 75% at UCS compared to last year.

Mrs Hinton said: “We do actively recruit in countries in Europe and because we’re small we’ve got great support for them.”

UCS tries to tailor courses around future jobs, a tactic which paid off in 2011, with 90% of graduates going on to employment or further study.

“We’ve got some fantastic academics and they really are the best people to talk to the students because they understand the employability aspects of their subjects,” Mrs Hinton added.

UCS is still accepting applications for courses starting in September.

“It’s a massive decision,” Mrs Hinton said. “University isn’t for everybody but it does open up a whole range of opportunities.”