The number of students accepted on courses has risen

A total of 405,369 applicants were accepted onto courses, according to figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas).

The intake is the last before students in England begin paying "top-up" fees.

The higher education minister, Bill Rammell, said that he was encouraged by the figures.

From September 2006, universities will be able to charge up to �3,000 a year, but up-front fees will be abolished and institutions charging the full amount must offer bursaries to students from the lowest-income households.

Currently students pay towards the cost of their tuition, but this is capped at �1,175 each year.

Critics fear the new higher costs of studying for a degree may deter applicants from applying to university.

A crucial measure of this will be figures - to be released by Ucas next month - detailing the number of applications made for university places in September 2006.

Overseas students

The number of overseas students accepted onto courses in 2005 has risen by 4.3% - or 1,876 students - on last year.

This is largely down to an increase in acceptances from European Union countries, with Polish students up by over 100% from 499 in 2004 to 1,034 in 2005.

There was also an increase of 60.9% in the number of accepted applicants (1,172 students) from Nigeria.

However, the number of students from China accepted onto courses - once a growing group of applicants - fell 22.8% from 6,324 in 2004 to 4,885 in 2005.

Foundation degrees have increased in popularity, with the total number of acceptances up by 41.3% on the figure for 2004.

The success of the foundation degree has had an impact on Higher National Diplomas (HNDs), with acceptances to these courses down 17.2%.

Surge in applicants

Ucas chief executive Anthony McClaran said: "The 2005 admissions cycle broke many records.

"For the first time, over half a million people applied through the Ucas scheme. Over 400,000 were successfully placed on higher education courses - another record."

Mr Rammell said the government was committed to removing any barriers which stood in the way of students achieving their academic potential.

"We expected a bit of a surge in the number of people applying and getting a higher education place in 2005, reflecting both the continued high demand and the focus on the introduction of the 2006 student finance reforms.

"The new student support and bursaries package which we have put in place for this year will maximise the opportunity for continued expansion of higher education, particularly for those from poorer backgrounds."