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Scramble for university places Scramble for university places
(about 2 hours later)
Teenagers who failed to get their first choices for university are rushing to find courses amid a squeeze on places.Teenagers who failed to get their first choices for university are rushing to find courses amid a squeeze on places.
Some universities have already closed their "clearing" operations, whereby spare places are allocated, saying all courses are full.Some universities have already closed their "clearing" operations, whereby spare places are allocated, saying all courses are full.
More than 5,000 students have found a place through clearing but another 142,000 are eligible for the places available.More than 5,000 students have found a place through clearing but another 142,000 are eligible for the places available.
There is a shortage due to a surge in applications and a cap on places.There is a shortage due to a surge in applications and a cap on places.
University admissions service Ucas said hits to its website were 50% up on last year after A-level results came out.University admissions service Ucas said hits to its website were 50% up on last year after A-level results came out.
It was thought there were about 24,000 places available through clearing, so nearly a fifth of them have gone.It was thought there were about 24,000 places available through clearing, so nearly a fifth of them have gone.
Students use clearing to apply for alternative courses or universities if they fail to get the grades they need to secure their first choices, if they have chosen not to take up an existing offer, or were not holding an offer.Students use clearing to apply for alternative courses or universities if they fail to get the grades they need to secure their first choices, if they have chosen not to take up an existing offer, or were not holding an offer.
Ucas says since 0600 on Thursday, more than 970,570 students have logged onto its website to see if they have a university place confirmed or to find alternatives.Ucas says since 0600 on Thursday, more than 970,570 students have logged onto its website to see if they have a university place confirmed or to find alternatives.
Calls to its helpline were close to 15,000 by the end of the day.Calls to its helpline were close to 15,000 by the end of the day.
'Disappointed''Disappointed'
Some universities have already closed their clearing systems, because courses are full.Some universities have already closed their clearing systems, because courses are full.
Among the UK's Russell Group universities, Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, Bristol and University College London either do not enter clearing, or have had no places available.Among the UK's Russell Group universities, Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, Bristol and University College London either do not enter clearing, or have had no places available.
Nottingham, which usually has around 250 clearing places, has had around 100 this year.Nottingham, which usually has around 250 clearing places, has had around 100 this year.
Southampton had 25 vacancies, and just 10 are left. Birmingham had fewer than 50 clearing places, and all are now gone.Southampton had 25 vacancies, and just 10 are left. Birmingham had fewer than 50 clearing places, and all are now gone.
Gloucester University has closed its clearing operartion. It only had about 20 full-time places available. Head of student recruitment, Brian Miller, says they were taken within hours.Gloucester University has closed its clearing operartion. It only had about 20 full-time places available. Head of student recruitment, Brian Miller, says they were taken within hours.
"The government has capped student recruitment numbers for this academic year, so we were only able to take on the same number of students as in 2008, even though our applications were up by 19%," he said."The government has capped student recruitment numbers for this academic year, so we were only able to take on the same number of students as in 2008, even though our applications were up by 19%," he said.
"This means that for the first time in 15 years, the university has filled its places in advance of the September registration date."This means that for the first time in 15 years, the university has filled its places in advance of the September registration date.
"Unfortunately this does mean that some students who missed their predicted A level grades may be disappointed, as competition for places this year has been exceptionally high.""Unfortunately this does mean that some students who missed their predicted A level grades may be disappointed, as competition for places this year has been exceptionally high."
This year's shortage of places, combined with an increased proportion of A grades going to private school students, will have a disproportionate impact on those from disadvantaged backgrounds Wes Streeting, NUS PresidentThis year's shortage of places, combined with an increased proportion of A grades going to private school students, will have a disproportionate impact on those from disadvantaged backgrounds Wes Streeting, NUS President
A record 610,453 people have applied to UK universities this year - more than a 10% rise on last year.A record 610,453 people have applied to UK universities this year - more than a 10% rise on last year.
The increase is thought to be due to a bulge in the population (there are more 18-year-olds this year), the drive to get more young people into higher education and the effects of the recession in encouraging both young and old to go to university.The increase is thought to be due to a bulge in the population (there are more 18-year-olds this year), the drive to get more young people into higher education and the effects of the recession in encouraging both young and old to go to university.
The Westminster government earlier this year put a 10,000 cap on the expansion of places for this autumn, though later offered funding for 13,000 more places as numbers of applicants surged.The Westminster government earlier this year put a 10,000 cap on the expansion of places for this autumn, though later offered funding for 13,000 more places as numbers of applicants surged.
However, not all universities took up this offer because places were not fully funded.However, not all universities took up this offer because places were not fully funded.
The rising pass rate at A-level has also, over a longer term, made more young people eligible for university.The rising pass rate at A-level has also, over a longer term, made more young people eligible for university.
This year the overall pass rate for A-levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland rose to the record level of 97.5%, adding to the clamour for places.This year the overall pass rate for A-levels in England, Wales and Northern Ireland rose to the record level of 97.5%, adding to the clamour for places.
Students in Scotland, who received the results of their Highers earlier this month, had a head start on clearing. The pass rate for Highers also rose - by 0.8 percentage point to 74.2%.Students in Scotland, who received the results of their Highers earlier this month, had a head start on clearing. The pass rate for Highers also rose - by 0.8 percentage point to 74.2%.
Independent schoolsIndependent schools
There are fears that it will be state school pupils who lose out in the scramble for university places - and teenagers from disadvantaged homes - whom the government have been trying to encourage to go into higher education.There are fears that it will be state school pupils who lose out in the scramble for university places - and teenagers from disadvantaged homes - whom the government have been trying to encourage to go into higher education.
A breakdown of results by school type showed that half of the A-levels awarded to candidates from independent schools were at grade A.A breakdown of results by school type showed that half of the A-levels awarded to candidates from independent schools were at grade A.
This compared with about 40% of entries from selective state schools and about 22% of those from comprehensives.This compared with about 40% of entries from selective state schools and about 22% of those from comprehensives.
Wes Streeting, President of the National Union of Students, said: "I have no doubt that this year's shortage of places, combined with an increased proportion of A grades going to private school students, will have a disproportionate impact on those from disadvantaged backgrounds.Wes Streeting, President of the National Union of Students, said: "I have no doubt that this year's shortage of places, combined with an increased proportion of A grades going to private school students, will have a disproportionate impact on those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
"I have a real fear that when numbers are published later, the number of pupils from state schools will have fallen.""I have a real fear that when numbers are published later, the number of pupils from state schools will have fallen."
We have massively expanded post-16 education so there is a far wider group of state pupils doing A-levels who never would have even have considered it before Iain Wright, Schools MinisterWe have massively expanded post-16 education so there is a far wider group of state pupils doing A-levels who never would have even have considered it before Iain Wright, Schools Minister
"We remain concerned that, despite passing their A-levels, many university applicants will still be disappointed."We remain concerned that, despite passing their A-levels, many university applicants will still be disappointed.
"We understand the current pressures on public finances, but the government must also make the right long-term decisions. It is surely better to bear the cost of additional university places now than to shoulder the burden of long-term unemployment later.""We understand the current pressures on public finances, but the government must also make the right long-term decisions. It is surely better to bear the cost of additional university places now than to shoulder the burden of long-term unemployment later."
Conservative education spokesman, Michael Gove, said: "The gulf between independent schools and state schools is truly shocking.Conservative education spokesman, Michael Gove, said: "The gulf between independent schools and state schools is truly shocking.
"The fortunate few are pulling ever further away from the rest and this phenomenon appears to be gathering pace rather than slowing down.""The fortunate few are pulling ever further away from the rest and this phenomenon appears to be gathering pace rather than slowing down."
Schools Minister Iain Wright said the government had widened the pool of students doing A-levels and going to university.Schools Minister Iain Wright said the government had widened the pool of students doing A-levels and going to university.
"University and A-levels are no longer the preserve of the privileged and elite few - we have massively expanded post-16 education so there is a far wider group of state pupils doing A-levels who never would have even have considered it before."University and A-levels are no longer the preserve of the privileged and elite few - we have massively expanded post-16 education so there is a far wider group of state pupils doing A-levels who never would have even have considered it before.
"This means you can't just look at proportions of pupils getting As - the private sector has not seen the same changes in the type of students sitting exams as the maintained sector and is far smaller overall."This means you can't just look at proportions of pupils getting As - the private sector has not seen the same changes in the type of students sitting exams as the maintained sector and is far smaller overall.
"The fact is that between 2002 and 2009 the number of A grades increased 44% in the independent sector, whilst over the same period there was a 60% increase in the maintained sector. This suggests the maintained sector is making real gains.""The fact is that between 2002 and 2009 the number of A grades increased 44% in the independent sector, whilst over the same period there was a 60% increase in the maintained sector. This suggests the maintained sector is making real gains."

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