I have put together the ratios of applications to accepts for degrees in languages and related fields below (source UCAS). Students had six choices until 2007, then five choices from 2008.

The ratios are not necessarily indicative of  'applicants per place' as the number of available places is not part of the equation. However, it is probably reasonable to suppose that subjects with a higher applications to accepts ratio are more competitive, all other things being equal.

Click to view table in table in detail.