HUNDREDS of Merseyside students are facing university rejection due to an “intense” scramble for places.
Students across the region were today expected to join their national counterparts and celebrate record A-Level results set to increase for the 27th consecutive year.
But a Daily Post investigation suggests many of today’s smiling faces will turn to disappointment, due to a record number of university applications.
Traditionally, students not doing as well as they hoped have landed a university place via the clearing system which matches those who have been turned down by their original choices to other courses.
But admission service Ucas has warned of an “intense” clearing experience with only half of last year’s 44,000 places likely to be up for grabs this year.
It comes after 600,000 students – a 9.7% annual rise – applied to get into university this year.
And last night the region’s university admitted students faced “sharpened competition” as the stampede for remaining places gets under way.
The University of Liverpool, which had 29,579 applicants this year – a 6% rise – warned it would only be able to offer a “small number of places through clearing”, due to the “high number of acceptances we have already received.”
Liverpool John Moores said it was “essentially full” having been “overwhelmed” with the volume and high standard of applications.
But a spokesman stressed the university “will always consider exceptional candidates” and interested students should call its 0500 564 565 hotline.
Edge Hill University said it has had a 10% increase in applications this year, but expects to offer “a few” places through clearing, thanks to funding for more than 300 extra places this year.
Hope University said it will be only offering 100 clearing places which is its lowest amount in two decades.
The reduction was credited on the fact students putting the university down as its first choice has rocketed from 1,500 to 1,800 – a 23% year-on- year rise.
It comes despite the university raising its minimum point score expectation this year.
Last night, Anne Wilson, head of admissions at Edge Hill, called for calm.
She said: “There will be higher anxiety than usual but students should not panic.
“The best thing to do is to get on the phone to Ucas and university clearing lines as soon as possible as, if there are limited places for particular courses, than they tend to go quickly.”
WORRIED students can call a government-funded exams results hotline on 0808 100 8000 for advice.
