Half of Buckinghamshire’s 18-year-olds head to university, among the highest rates in the UK

Almost half of Buckinghamshire's 18-year-olds were accepted onto a university course last year, but the rate in Aylesbury is far lower than elsewhere in the county, according to new figures.

placeholder image — Half of Buckinghamshire’s 18-year-olds head to university, among the highest rates in the UK | Unsplash

Researchers at Go Humanize AI used UCAS data to rank 56 UK cities and areas by the share of 18-year-olds who got a university place in 2025. Buckinghamshire's figure combines its five constituencies.

Taken together, they recorded a rate of 49.9%, well above the UK average of 36.3%. That makes Buckinghamshire the third most likely place in the study for young people to go to university, behind only St Albans and London.

Within the county, the figures vary widely. In Chesham and Amersham, 63.4% of 18-year-olds got a place. Mid Buckinghamshire recorded 55.1% and Beaconsfield 52.6%.

Aylesbury had the lowest rate in Bucks, at 39.8%, just behind Wycombe on 40.1%. Even so, both are above the UK average.

The UK cities where young people are least likely to go to university are: