MERSEYSIDE headteachers last night called for students to receive their A-level results before applying to university, fearing the current system has “reached breaking point”.

The stance came amid unprecedented competition this year for university places with estimates 200,000 students have missed out.

Statistics published by the university admissions service UCAS showed courses with vacancies after last month’s A-level results day were down 32,000 from last summer.

Demand is so high that universities including Liverpool John Moores now deliberately set aside clearing places for top performing students.

And last night headteachers from across the region said the time had come to re-think the system.

The heads concede it might require universities to start their academic year later, possibly in October rather than September, in order to match up results with places.

But allowing students to apply after receiving their A-level grades, it is argued, would ensure they targeted only those courses whose entry requirements they met.

Those making the demand include John Waszek, principal at St Edward’s College in Liverpool’s Sandfield Park, West Derby.

He said: “The present system is no longer fit for purpose and the application system we have has reached breaking point.

“Allowing students to apply for places after receiving their results would prevent the hundreds of thousands of unnecessary applications. We currently ask students to make one of the most important decisions of their lives based on how they may perform a year later. It’s a lottery.”

Steve Peach, headteacher at The Oldershaw school, in Wallasey, advocating the results first system. He said the bulk of exam papers were submitted by the middle of June and saw no reason why exam boards could not release results a few weeks earlier.

“This year has been the most difficult year I have ever experienced in terms of university applications, due to the demand.

“We have got to look at the system and, on the issue of receiving grades before applying, there may be logistical problems, but they could be overcome and it’s an excellent idea. Anything that reduces the stress I’ve witnessed in the last few weeks must be looked at.”

Louise Robinson, head of Merchant Taylors’ School for Girls, in Crosby, acknowledged the “practicalities” of any change would have to be overcome particularly processing results in time.

But she added: “Students would only apply for courses if they had got the grades needed and I can see the benefits of this.”

But the call has won little support in the university corridors of power.

The University of Liverpool said UCAS already allowed students doing better than expected to reconsider their destinations through its Adjustment Period system. But a spokesman stressed: “A complete switch to post- qualification applications could pose serious logistical problems for schools, students and universities.

“The evidence is that 90% of predictions are accurate to within one grade.

“Universities receive large numbers of applications and need time to assess applicants in a holistic way; for example through personal statements and interviews.”

And Professor Bill Chambers, Hope University’s pro vice chancellor said the idea, first mooted in the 90s as a way of promoting wider university participation, would pose serious “practical concerns”.

These include the fact universities strived to finish the first phases of modular courses by the New Year and the risk students would simply take another year to re-sit A-levels to get on desired courses.

“I agree there is so much demand on places that the system cannot cope with it.

“But the real solution comes down to two choices.

“There is either the funding to expand the number of places to cater for our future workforce, or we have more people on the dole.”