The number of new undergraduates opting to study law has risen for the first time in three years, according to the latest research by applications body UCAS.
The figures, which refer to applications made for the 2007 intake, show 96,687 students applied for a law degree at higher education institutions across the UK – a 6 % increase from 91,606 at the equivalent stage last year.
The figures come after the number of applicants for law degrees dropped by 7.3% in 2006, following another drop in 2005.
News of the increase in applicants comes despite continuing debate over the demands placed upon young lawyers working in the City. Meanwhile, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) earlier this year announced it had delayed piloting a new-look system designed to widen entry to the legal profession until 2008.
However, law remains the most popular subject among undergraduates, with psychology, management studies, medicine and design completing the five most-studied subjects.
The figures – which are provisional, as late applications may still be accepted – show a total of 494,842 applications for undergraduate courses at UK higher education institutions in 2007, up 5.3% on the same point last year.
