Initial reports indicate that the number of applications from EU students for places at UK universities have declined by more than 7%.

A committee of MPs investigating the potential impact of Brexit on higher education were told that the first decrease in the number of EU applicants for nearly a decade was attributable to the country's decision to leave the EU.

There has also been nearly a 5% fall in the number of applications from UK students and a 0.26% drop in international student numbers.

The figures relate to the January deadline for applications to university admissions clearing house Ucas and were disclosed during a hearing of the Commons educations select committee.

Official figures are due to be released by Ucas on February 2nd.

According to Professor Michael Arthur, president of University College London, applications at his institution had held up well due to the institutions central London location. However, there are expectations applications will vary drastically across the country.

Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK agreed with Professor Michael Arthur, describing the EU numbers as fragile and that the UK's competitors would seek to take advantage of this.

She told the committee: "We are concerned about EU numbers.

"Bear in mind this is coinciding with our competitor countries, particularly in the EU, seeing this as a huge advantage for them. They are redoubling their marketing efforts and see Brexit as posing a good opportunity for them to recruit internationally-mobile EU students."

University leaders addressing the committee have urged the government to provide clarity and reassurance to both EU students and EU academics in the current climate of anxiety.