Recruiters face a dearth of candidates in the future as the number of school-leavers is expected to plummet over the next decade, leaving 70,000 university places unfilled.

A report by Universities UK said universities will have to compete harder and encourage more mature students and students from outside the EU into higher education as an historic dip in UK birthrates translates into fewer student numbers.

According to Universities UK, which represents nearly all university vice-chancellors, the number of 18-20-year-olds will fall between now and 2019, leaving up to 70,000 vacant student placements. However, by 2027 the trend will be reversed, says the report, with a projected 2.1% increase in student numbers compared to 2006.

And it is not just the Uk which will suffer. Student numbers across the EU will also decline dramatically, by up to 40% in some countries.

The report added that academic institutions must adapt to survive and offer career training rather than just being ivory towers of academia.

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