Scramble for 27,000 courses after clearing launches as an estimated 65,000 teenagers who got their A-level grades this morning fight for a place at university
- 416,310 people have taken up places so far, down 2% compared with last year
- Many options still available for students hoping to start degrees this autumn
- It's claimed some universities are lowering entry levels to attract students
- More than 4,800 Russell Group courses potentially have places on offer
The scramble for 27,000 university places has begun among an estimated 65,000 teenagers who got their A-level grades today.
Some 416,310 people have taken up places so far, down 2 per cent compared with the same point last year after an overall drop in applications to start degree courses.
Despite this the university admissions service said the number of students gaining university places on A-level day is still the second-highest number recorded.
The clearing hub at Northumbria University offering advice and guidance to students today
The fall means that many options are still available for students hoping to start degree courses this autumn with the majority of universities, including many top Russell Group institutions, entering clearing in a bid to recruit good candidates.
There have been reports that a number of universities are lowering their entry requirements to attract students.
Clearing - which opened at 3pm today - is the annual process that matches students without places, for example those that did not meet their required grades, with available courses.
A Press Association survey showed that as of this afternoon, just hours after clearing opened, there were more than 27,000 courses listed on the Ucas clearing website.
Sir Lenny Henry, with Birmingham City University marketing and communications officer Annabell Lamba, offering students university places from the institution's clearing office
The survey, based on 148 UK universities and colleges, showed that around nine in 10 institutions (134) are advertising at least one course.
It is understood that a number of universities list all of their courses on the site ahead of results day, even if they are expected to be filled with students already given offers, until those offers are confirmed.
Among the 24 Russell Group institutions alone, those universities considered among the best in the country, over two-thirds (18) had at least one course listed on the Ucas site, with more than 4,800 courses potentially having places on offer.
Last year, almost 65,000 applicants found places through clearing, while almost 900 were placed through 'adjustment', a scheme that allows applicants that do better than expected in their A-levels to trade up to another course or institution.
Calls are taken at the University of Sheffield's clearing call centre on A-level results day today
Ucas' first figures show that as of 8am:
- The number of UK 18-year-olds gaining a place is 201,270, a similar level to last year, and the highest number recorded on A-level results day.
- A total of 26,090 EU students have been placed, a fall of 3% compared with last year, but still the second-highest recorded.
- The number of international students accepted has increased by 4% to 30,350.
- Record numbers of UK 18-year-olds from the poorest backgrounds have been accepted on to courses - 21,470, in total. However, the most advantaged teenagers are still almost two-and-a-half times more likely to win places.
Ucas chief executive Clare Marchant said: 'The overall numbers of students being accepted onto courses is lower, but it is a complicated picture.
'We are seeing a growing proportion of 18-year-olds going into higher education, and greater numbers of students from our most deprived communities are securing places.
'At the same time, we are seeing fewer older students taking places, and a fall in numbers from the EU.'
Professor Les Ebdon, Director of Fair Access to Higher Education, applauded the efforts of disadvantaged students, saying they have 'overcome barriers that many others do not face'.
The University of Sheffield's clearing call centre takes calls on A-level results day today
He said: 'Unfortunately, some young people have picked up exam results today that do not reflect their full potential, because they have been held back by socio-economic or educational disadvantage.
'All children deserve to get the support they need to overcome any and all barriers of circumstance, so that each can achieve to the level that they deserve. Universities and colleges have a key role to play in working with schools to provide support.'
There are indications that would-be undergraduates are increasingly considering alternative routes to higher education, with London-based night-class university Birkbeck announcing a substantial rise in the number of clearing enquiries received this year, including taking more calls to its hotline by 2.15pm today than during three days of clearing last year.
Overall, 649,700 people had applied to start degree courses by June 30, the last deadline for applications, down around 4 per cent (25,190) compared with this point last year, according to previous Ucas figures.
A breakdown shows a 4 per cent decrease in UK applicants, while the number of EU students fell by 5 per cent, and international student numbers were up 2 per cent.
Jessica Cole, Russell Group head of policy, said institutions 'want to attract talented and able students from all backgrounds'.
'If a student does go into clearing, we know it can be a nerve-wracking time,' she said. 'But it's important to remember that all our universities have people on hand to help, as do Ucas.
'Some have places to offer to students who have exceeded expectations, and some have places for highly-qualified students who have narrowly missed out on their first choice.'
Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of Universities UK, said there is still 'great demand' for places.
'There are a variety of reasons for the drop in applications this year, including the decline in the number of 18 and 19-year-olds, changes to funding for degrees in nursing, and the possible impact of the vote to leave the EU.
'There will still be more applications than there are university places.'
Under funding reforms, bursaries for nursing students have been scrapped and replaced by loans.
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