The number of students coming to the UK from the EU has fallen for the first time in five years as universities say Brexit is putting them off.

Figures published by the university admissions service Ucas show that EU applicants dropped by 4.4per cent to 51,185, around 2,375 applicants fewer than in 2016, reversing a trend of year-on-year rises since 2012.

The number of acceptances from the EU fell by 2.1pc this year.

Applications from UK students also fell, for the second year running, with 3.1pc fewer applying to start courses this autumn, and there were also 2,535 fewer acceptances from the UK.