The university was "not surprised" by the fall in applications

Applications fell from 36,457 in 2003 to 34,623 for 2004, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service said.

Alleged discrimination against pupils from independents led schools to a recommended boycott.

A university spokesman said he was not surprised by the 5% drop in numbers but added that applications to other universities were also down.

"It may be that we have all experienced a particular trajectory up over the last 10 years or so and that was never going to be sustainable," he said.

In March, the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and Girls Schools' Association said the university "apparently arbitrarily rejected well-qualified candidates".