TEENAGE girls are now more than a third more likely to go to university than boys as the gap between the sexes reaches record levels.

New figures show that about 30,000 more women than men are set to start degree courses this autumn.

The figures come as fresh data published by the University and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) showed around 6,600 fewer students overall have been placed on courses this year, compared with the same point last year.

The statistics reveal 133,280 UK 18-year-old women had secured a university place, compared with 103,800 UK men of the same age.

This gap – of nearly 30,000 students – is the largest difference recorded at this point of the admissions cycle, universities clearing body Ucas said.  Its analysis shows across the UK, 27.3 per cent of all young men are expected to go to university this year, compared with 37.1per cent of young women.

It means as of today 18-year-old women are 36 per cent more likely to start degree courses this autumn than their male peers of the same age.

Last year they were 35 per cent more likely to enter higher education and five years ago they were 31 per cent more likely.

Ucas suggests that one factor contributing to the gender difference is nursing, with a nine per cent increase in UK 18-year-olds placed on nursing courses this year.

Women significantly outnumber men for these degrees, with about 28 women recruited for every man.

Previous figures have shown an overall drop in nursing applications and acceptances this year, this has been driven by falls in older students rather than among 18-year-olds.

Dr Mark Corver, Ucas’ director of analysis and research, said: “More UK 18-year-olds will be starting university this autumn than ever before but large differences in who goes remain.  “Our research has shown the difference between 18-year-old men and women entering university is now similar to that between the richest and poorest halves of the population. The statistics show the difference between men and women slowly growing wider.”