THE number of school leavers accepted on to degree courses has risen to a record high this year, as thousands of students wait for their A-level results.
Ucas figures show a total of 262,820 UK 18-year-olds have gained a place at university or college.
A record number of school leavers found university places this year Credit: Alamy
Students are now eagerly awaiting their A-level results Credit: Alamy
This is up 3 per cent on the same point last year, according to data published this morning.
Ucas said it is the highest number of placed students on results day on record.
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According to the data an increase in the number of students in the population is driving the jump in admissions.
The overall number of students, of all ages and domiciles, being accepted has also reached a record high – with 446,690 successful applicants up from 439,180 last year.
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It comes as students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are opening their A-level results this morning on a day tinged with excitement and nerves.
The majority of schools have opened their doors from 8am to 11am – but it’s advisable to check your school’s website or social media.
With A-level results not issued yet, some students are still waiting to hear if they made it into the uni of their choice.
It can, however, take up to 24 hours for places to be confirmed at certain universities.
This morning, Ucas chief executive Jo Saxton said the numbers “paint a really good picture.”
Speaking to Radio 4’s Today programme, Saxton said there are 35,000 students going on to study engineering at university.
This is reportedly up 14 per cent compared to last year.
Saxton added that around 27,000 courses are available through clearing.
She said there is a “huge amount of choice” including subjects such as maths, music and engineering.
Offering encouragement she told students they can “absolutely still go to university in the autumn”, even if they did not get the grades they were hoping for.
Students who don’t meet the required Ucas points for their top choices will now face a race for places through clearing.
Saxton said: “For those applicants who might be tearing open their results and not quite be getting what they hoped for, they can absolutely still go to university in the autumn if that’s what they would like to do.”
“There is lots and lots of choice.”
She stressed that clearing is not just for people who didn’t get the grades they needed to take up an offer.
It is also used by applicants who want to “trade up” or change their mind and live closer to home, for example.
And, New Prime Minister Andy Burnham took to social media to offer words of encouragement to students today.
Speaking after meeting with one of his old teachers, he said: “Good luck to everyone getting their A-level, T-level and BTec results today.
“Whatever it says in those envelopes, you should be proud of the hard work that got you here.
“And remember, there isn’t just one route to success.”
