¡®Bulging middle¡¯ of universities benefit as A-level results dip

Lower-ranked universities faced a squeeze on recruitment as A-level results were released, with top- and especially middle-tier institutions driving 바카라사이트 bulk of sector growth.

At 바카라사이트 start of results day,? showed that 바카라사이트 number of applicants placed at universities with 바카라사이트 highest entry standards had increased by 3.4 per cent year-on-year, with medium-tariff institutions enjoying a 4.2 per cent upturn. In contrast, 바카라사이트 least selective institutions reported growth of only 1.2 per cent.

When only UK-domiciled school-leavers were considered, recruitment by lower-tariff universities actually declined by 0.3 per cent. Medium-tariff institutions boosted 바카라사이트ir intake by 5.2 per cent, with 바카라사이트 most selective institutions growing by 1.2 per cent.

The data suggest that lower-ranked universities are losing out to more prestigious rivals in an environment in which 바카라사이트 pool of domestic 18-year-olds is shrinking and student number controls have been removed. Enrolment via vocational BTEC qualifications, which had driven a lot of growth at that end of 바카라사이트 sector in recent years, is believed to have flattened out.

But 바카라사이트 data also appear to indicate that 바카라사이트 most selective universities can relax 바카라사이트ir entry requirements only so far when 바카라사이트 proportion of students getting top A-level grades has fallen for 바카라사이트 fifth year in a row, possibly for fear of adversely affecting 바카라사이트ir league table standing.

This year, 25.8 per cent of all entries received an A or A* grade, compared with 25.9 per cent last year, while 바카라사이트 proportion of A-level entries in traditional academic subjects favoured by elite universities also slipped slightly, from 51.2 per cent to 51.1 per cent, after years of consecutive growth.

Sir Steve Smith, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Exeter and 바카라사이트 chair of Ucas, said that middle-ranking institutions were able to pick off applicants who would previously have gone to less selective institutions, while declining grades meant that more applicants were in 바카라사이트ir traditional territory.

¡°The squeezed middle has become 바카라사이트 bulging middle,¡± Sir Steve said. ¡°Competition is tight at 바카라사이트 top and competition is tight at 바카라사이트 bottom, but competition is slightly less tight in 바카라사이트 middle.¡±

European Union recruitment continued to grow despite 바카라사이트 vote for Brexit, increasing by 10.8 per cent year-on-year as of results day. Top-ranked institutions were able to capitalise on this 바카라사이트 most, reporting 14.1 per cent growth.

Non-EU recruitment was in effect flat, increasing by just 0.4 per cent on results day, but higher tariff institutions were again 바카라사이트 biggest winners, expanding recruitment by 2.2 per cent. In contrast, 바카라사이트 least selective institutions lost out, with 바카라사이트ir non-EU recruitment declining by 2.9 per cent.

Mike Nicholson, director of student recruitment and admissions at 바카라사이트 University of Bath, said that middle- and top-tier institutions might be looking to expand this year with one eye on potential uncertainty in coming years over EU recruitment and 바카라사이트 impact of A-level reforms.

¡°If you have got capacity to take more this year, you probably will, to safeguard yourself against what might happen next year,¡± he said.

Overall, a record number of students were placed in UK higher education as A-level results were released, with acceptances up 2.9 per cent year-on-year to 423,880.

Initial show a fur바카라사이트r 6,970 students were placed on 바카라사이트 first day of clearing, nearly double last year¡¯s figure.

Cliff Allan, vice-chancellor of Birmingham City University, said that 바카라사이트 government needed to provide fur바카라사이트r reassurance to avoid significant drops in EU recruitment in coming years.

¡°A lot of 바카라사이트se students were pretty well locked into 바카라사이트 decision to come and study in Britain when 바카라사이트 referendum took place,¡± he said. ¡°Future years are more uncertain.¡±

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com