UNIVERSITY centres in East Lancashire have seen a record number of applications - before the fees hike kicks in 2012.

Even more prospective students than last year have applied to Blackburn College, the University of Central Lancashire and St Mary’s College, to complete degree courses.

Blackburn College has seen a 42 per cent increase from last year, with just under 1,000 applications.

St Mary’s College has also increased.

And overall applications for University of Central Lancashire campuses in Burnley and Preston combined stand at 24,166 compared with 21,809 at the same time last year.

These application numbers are an increase of 11 percent on last year’s record figures.

This surge has been due to a number of reasons including the fees increase which will see universities charge a minimum of £6,000 a year from 21012 after the coalition government won the vote.

Dr Martin Brown, University of Central Lancashire’s Director for Burnley, said: “Last year we achieved a 100 percent increase in applications for Burnley when compared with 2009 and we are expecting the same increase in applications this year, if not more.

“Applications are coming in all the time.

“Nationally, the rise in tuition fees for 2012, together with an increased number of students reapplying from 2010, could well be factors.”

Chris Cox, director of HE and Community Provision at St Mary’s College, said: “The recent Ucas announcement concerning the rise in HE applications is to be expected due to the Governments decision to raise tuition fees from Sept 2012.

“Students who were considering taking a gap year are changing their plans and are wanting to take advantage of applying now before the fee increase.

“Likewise the faltering jobs market is raising people’s awareness of how important it is to have the highest possible qualifications.”

Ian Clinton, principal at Blackburn College, said: “We want to encourage students to take advantage of the lower tuition fees this year.

So any students who might have been considering going travelling, or taking a gap year, or working may wish to reconsider applying to university this year instead.”