Record numbers of students were admitted to British universities last year, driven by a surge in applications from overseas.

A detailed analysis of students starting courses last September revealed overall admissions increased by 10 per cent to 456,627.

It marks the largest number of full-time undergraduates awarded places in one year.

Figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) show Chinese students soared by a fifth to 6,120 - representing the biggest single group from overseas. Admissions from Singapore increased by a third to 968.

But data shows that the largest rises were by students from new EU member states. Undergraduates from Romania leapt by 140 per cent to 630 and admissions from Bulgaria doubled to 823. Undergraduates from the EU are eligible for student loans which are subsidised by the taxpayer.

In the past, universities have reported students from overseas taking places on "economically important" degrees - such as engineering and the sciences - which have been shunned by home-grown school leavers.

Admissions from within the UK also increased by record numbers.

Figures show more women than men were accepted - 251,932 against 204,695 men.

Data showed 4,009 chemistry students started undergraduate courses last September, the first time numbers have gone over 4,000 since 1997.

In the past five years there has been a 30 per cent rise in chemistry undergraduates.

Anthony McClaran, chief executive of Ucas, said: "These figures make 2008 a record breaking year in terms of both those applying and those being accepted to full-time higher education courses. The increase in both applicants and acceptances is particularly strong in England, but all parts of the UK saw higher numbers."

The number of students admitted from the poorest backgrounds also increased.

Undergraduates from the most deprived homes rose by a fifth to 19,520.

It comes just days after Labour launched a new drive to boost education standards among working-class children.

David Lammy, the Higher Education Minister, said: "It is good to see that the proportion of 18 year olds and under from families on lower incomes is increasing year on year but more needs to be done. That is why our New Opportunities White Paper outlines a number of measures to ensure every young person from a low income background with the potential and talent to go to university is given the support to do so."