ALMOST 30,000 people will miss out on university places this summer, following a government freeze on student numbers, according to new data.

Figures released by Ucas show that applications to UK univers- ities have risen by 8.8% in the last year.

There has been a particular increase in the numbers of students aged 21 or over applying, as those affected by the recession seek to boost their skills.

But universities secretary John Denham has announced a cap on the number of additional student places available at universities in England for the next academic year, so that no more than 10,000 extra students can be admitted.

In Wednesday’s Budget, it was also announced the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) must make £400m of "efficiency savings".

The Ucas figures, from a snap- shot taken on March 24, show that, so far this year, 524,151 people have applied to start courses at UK institutions this autumn, up from 481,784 at that point last year. There are 474,306 applications to universities in England – which are affected by the cap on places. This number is up from 435,354 (8.9%) on last year.

In total, 38,952 more people have applied to English institutions this year. The National Union of Students said this means that, with the cap in place, at least 28,000 people will be without a place this summer.

NUS president Wes Streeting said: "It is encouraging to see a record-breaking number of applications to Britain’s univer- sities, but we are very concerned about the numbers of places avail- able as a result of the cap on num- bers imposed by the Government.

"Unless there is an urgent expansion of places, universities will be unable to meet this demand. We are therefore calling on the Government to launch an immediate review of student numbers for the coming year, and invest in the number of places needed to guarantee a place to those who have the ability and aspiration to succeed in higher education."

Diana Warwick, chief executive of Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors across the country, said the figures showed "unprecedented levels of interest" in higher education.

But she added: "We expect a challenging admissions period this summer, due to the restriction on the number of undergraduate places that will be funded this year. This means that competition for places will be particularly fierce for those courses in high demand."