The 2.3% decline in applications for university compared to last year reflects a decrease in applications from overseas and mature students, says the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

The decline in overseas students applying for university places has been particularly attributed to economic problems in south-east Asia.

Tony Higgins says "demand remains strong" for university places among school-leavers

The chief executive of UCAS, Tony Higgins, said that "under-21s from the United Kingdom make up the vast majority of people who apply to full-time degree courses, and it's good to see that demand from them for higher education remains strong".

Since the introduction of tuition fees last year, application statistics have been scrutinised for evidence that fees are deterring people from applying for higher education.

These latest figures, which show 0.2% increase in applications from under-21-year-olds, have been seized upon by the government as proof that fees have not stopped school leavers from applying for university.

"I am pleased to see that the latest figures demonstrate yet again that our reforms have not deterred young people from applying to university," said Education Minister, Baroness Blackstone.

The minister also welcomed the increase in applications from the Asian community, particularly from young people from Bangladeshi families, who have been particularly under-represented in higher education.

But the overall figure for applications remains stubbornly on a downward trend, despite the government's plans to increase the number of students in higher education.