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Record number of university places Record university places as slight fall in top A-level grades
(35 minutes later)
Record numbers have been awarded UK university places on the day that A-level results are revealed. Record numbers of UK university places have been awarded - as this year's A-level results show a marginal fall in top grades.
The Ucas admissions services says that 424,000 places have been offered, an increase of 3% on last year. The proportion of A* and A grades was 25.8%, down by 0.1% on last year. The pass rate of 98.1% remained the same.
There have been predictions of many more places being available through clearing, including in leading universities. The Ucas admissions services says that 424,000 places have been offered, an increase of 3% on this day last year.
There have been forecasts that this year's overall A-level results are likely to be similar to last year. There are predictions of many places still being available through clearing, including in leading universities.
Universities say this could be a "buyer's market" for applications - with a decline in the number of 18 year olds and the removal of the cap on the number of places universities can offer. Universities say this year could be a "buyer's market" for applications - with a decline in the number of 18-year-olds and the removal of the cap on the number of places universities in England can offer.
Hundreds of thousands of teenagers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their A-level and AS results on Thursday. Students in Scotland have already received their exam results.Hundreds of thousands of teenagers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their A-level and AS results on Thursday. Students in Scotland have already received their exam results.
'Significant variation' 'Unchanged'
Prof Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, has forecast that overall results will be similar to last year. The A-level results show a stable pattern compared with last year.
In 2015, there was a slight fall in A* and A grades awarded, down to 25.9% of entries. But the proportion of passes rose by 0.1 percentage points to 98.1%. Michael Turner, director general of the Joint Council for Qualifications, said: "Overall, outcomes are relatively unchanged."
Girls continue to get better results than boys, with 79.7% of girls getting grades A* to C, compared with 75% for boys.
But the gap between the very top-performing girls and boys at A-level has narrowed for the first time in five years.
And there has been a further decline in the number of entries for modern languages.
Malcolm Trobe, leader of the ASCL head teachers' union, warned that this could reflect funding pressures and that schools could not afford subjects with small numbers of pupils.
AS levels are being "decoupled" from being part of A-levels - and this year's figures show a 13.7% drop in entries.
Teachers and head teachers' leaders have warned that, below the surface of this stability, individual schools and pupils could face more unpredictable outcomes.Teachers and head teachers' leaders have warned that, below the surface of this stability, individual schools and pupils could face more unpredictable outcomes.
"Students and their teachers are bracing themselves for greater volatility in this year's results," said Ms Keates, leader of the NASUWT teachers' union."Students and their teachers are bracing themselves for greater volatility in this year's results," said Ms Keates, leader of the NASUWT teachers' union.
She said that schools had to contend with new content in AS and A-levels.She said that schools had to contend with new content in AS and A-levels.
Head teachers' leader Russell Hobby forecast "significant variation" and unexpected results, behind the picture given by the national statistics.Head teachers' leader Russell Hobby forecast "significant variation" and unexpected results, behind the picture given by the national statistics.
"For individual students, teachers and schools this is a real concern," said Mr Hobby."For individual students, teachers and schools this is a real concern," said Mr Hobby.
For those students who miss out on required grades for university, there are expected to be more opportunities available through the clearing system.For those students who miss out on required grades for university, there are expected to be more opportunities available through the clearing system.
This will include leading universities within the Russell Group, which have signalled that they expect to have places on offer.This will include leading universities within the Russell Group, which have signalled that they expect to have places on offer.
ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships
There is a demographic dip in the number of 18-year-olds and the removal of any limit on student numbers means that universities could be competing to attract students to fill places. There is a demographic dip in the number of school leavers and the removal of any limit on student numbers in England means that universities could be competing to attract students to fill places.
Middlesex University has said this year will be a "buyer's market".Middlesex University has said this year will be a "buyer's market".
London South Bank University is going to run a 36-hours non-stop clearing service, remaining open all night for inquiries from students.London South Bank University is going to run a 36-hours non-stop clearing service, remaining open all night for inquiries from students.
But students starting at England's universities in the autumn could face higher fees than the previous cap of £9,000 before they finish.But students starting at England's universities in the autumn could face higher fees than the previous cap of £9,000 before they finish.
Exeter University has announced that it is going to increase fees to £9,250 for current students and those beginning this year, as well as those starting in 2017.Exeter University has announced that it is going to increase fees to £9,250 for current students and those beginning this year, as well as those starting in 2017.
There will also be opportunities for those not going to university, with financial services firm PwC announcing that it has had a 20% increase in two years in recruiting directly from those leaving school with A-levels.There will also be opportunities for those not going to university, with financial services firm PwC announcing that it has had a 20% increase in two years in recruiting directly from those leaving school with A-levels.
A report from Barclays and the Centre for Economics and Business Research has argued that those entering apprenticeships after school could have much higher lifetime earnings than those going into graduate careers.A report from Barclays and the Centre for Economics and Business Research has argued that those entering apprenticeships after school could have much higher lifetime earnings than those going into graduate careers.
And a study from the Social Market Foundation, also released on results day, shows that vocational qualifications are an increasingly common route into university, often in combination with A-levels.And a study from the Social Market Foundation, also released on results day, shows that vocational qualifications are an increasingly common route into university, often in combination with A-levels.
A Department for Education spokeswoman said: "A-level results day is the culmination of months of hard work for students and teachers and everyone involved deserves credit. School standards minister Nick Gibb said: "We want to make our country a place where there is no limit on anyone's ambition or what they can achieve.
"Our exam and curriculum reforms will build on those achievements and ensure pupils have the knowledge and skills that will help them secure a university place, apprenticeships or a great job." "It is hugely encouraging that this year sees a record 424,000 applicants already securing a place at one of our world-class universities, with increasing numbers from disadvantaged backgrounds gaining a place as well. "
Are you waiting for your A-level results? How did you get on and what are your plans for the future? You can share your reaction and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you waiting for your A-level results? How did you get on and what are your plans for the future? You can share your reaction and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
We will also be putting your questions to education experts across the day - if you want to ask anything about clearing, starting university, taking a year off or anything else, send your questions.
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