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Record university places as A-level results revealed Record university places as A-level results revealed
(about 7 hours later)
Record numbers of university places are on offer as pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are about to find out their A-level and AS-level results.Record numbers of university places are on offer as pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are about to find out their A-level and AS-level results.
An extra 30,000 university places are available and it is expected that over 500,000 places will be allocated for courses starting in the autumn.An extra 30,000 university places are available and it is expected that over 500,000 places will be allocated for courses starting in the autumn.
University heads are predicting some students could still get places even if they miss their required grades.University heads are predicting some students could still get places even if they miss their required grades.
Top universities will also have places available in the clearing system.Top universities will also have places available in the clearing system.
Hundreds of thousands of teenagers will receive their A-level and AS-level grades on Thursday, as exam boards reveal the results of exams taken this summer.Hundreds of thousands of teenagers will receive their A-level and AS-level grades on Thursday, as exam boards reveal the results of exams taken this summer.
Competing for studentsCompeting for students
This will also show whether the proportion of top grades is continuing to decline - after two successive years with fewer A* and A grades. Last year, about 26% of entries received these highest grades.This will also show whether the proportion of top grades is continuing to decline - after two successive years with fewer A* and A grades. Last year, about 26% of entries received these highest grades.
But for school leavers planning to go to university, there are suggestions that this could be an unusually good year to apply, with a "buyer's market" in which universities are competing to attract students.But for school leavers planning to go to university, there are suggestions that this could be an unusually good year to apply, with a "buyer's market" in which universities are competing to attract students.
There are more higher education places than ever before and there is a continuing flexibility for universities to admit more students who achieve A-level grades of ABB or above.There are more higher education places than ever before and there is a continuing flexibility for universities to admit more students who achieve A-level grades of ABB or above.
Nick Foskett, vice-chancellor of Keele University, says it will mean students will have more options than in previous years, even if they do not get their expected grades.Nick Foskett, vice-chancellor of Keele University, says it will mean students will have more options than in previous years, even if they do not get their expected grades.
"More students are likely to be accepted into their first choice, even if their grades are slightly lower than universities requested," said Prof Foskett."More students are likely to be accepted into their first choice, even if their grades are slightly lower than universities requested," said Prof Foskett.
More flexibilityMore flexibility
"Many universities that have plans for growth will be using this year to expand their numbers, so will be keen to accept students that may have been rejected in previous years.""Many universities that have plans for growth will be using this year to expand their numbers, so will be keen to accept students that may have been rejected in previous years."
The Russell Group of leading universities has indicated that there will be more flexibility than usual.The Russell Group of leading universities has indicated that there will be more flexibility than usual.
"Some Russell Group universities may still have places available in some subjects for students who have done better than expected," said the group's director general, Wendy Piatt."Some Russell Group universities may still have places available in some subjects for students who have done better than expected," said the group's director general, Wendy Piatt.
"There may also be places available for highly-qualified students who have narrowly missed out on their first choice.""There may also be places available for highly-qualified students who have narrowly missed out on their first choice."
More universities than usual are expected to take part in the clearing process, which matches students looking for a place with any available courses.More universities than usual are expected to take part in the clearing process, which matches students looking for a place with any available courses.
For students doubting the accuracy of their grades, the Information Commissioner's Office says they have a right to see how their exams were marked. This is an addition to the exam boards' appeals process.For students doubting the accuracy of their grades, the Information Commissioner's Office says they have a right to see how their exams were marked. This is an addition to the exam boards' appeals process.
This year's results will include the first A-level grades from a free school, the London Academy of Excellence.This year's results will include the first A-level grades from a free school, the London Academy of Excellence.
Are you receiving your A-Level results today? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co using 'A-Level' in the subject heading.
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