phdaspirant - I think "success rate of PhD aspirants over a year" is abit of a vague term, but i'll do my best here...
i cannot tell you how many potential PhD projects and university deparments i looked at...it feels like 500+. i think i seriously considered about 5 uni's, which i had email-contact with and went to open days e.t.c. i eventually formally applied for only 2 studentships. One i wasnt even short listed for because one of the other candidates had more relevant experience. The other one, i was short listed for...i had the interview, and they offered it to me (and i said yes!). My PhD search began in summer 2005, and got more serious around xmas 2005. hope thats helpful (?)