14th April 2010 9:00
By Blue Tutors
This summer A-level students will find it harder than ever to secure a university place. In an article on the BBC’s website it’s been reported that maybe only 65% of university applicants will win a university place. In recent years this figure has been over 75%. The problem has arisen because of a 22% increase in university applications, and despite the government’s recent U-turn on university funding, granting 15,000 more undergraduate places.
The increase in demand has left many of the newer universities in the unique position of being able to select which students they want. These universities are largely unprepared for such a selection process, and it’s led to them making later offers than in previous years, and requiring higher A-level points scores.
This may seem unfair to the applying students who were not expecting such high requirements, but the universities cannot make as many lower offers as usual, because they are fined for accepting more than their allocation of students. The major worry for A-level students is the potential of not achieving the grades required to attend their first or second choice university, because there will be very few places available through clearing.