¡®Direct to clearing¡¯ plays growing role in UK admissions

Rapid growth in 바카라사이트 number of students applying directly to degree courses through clearing should be embraced by universities, sector leaders have said.

This year¡¯s post-results day activity has been marked by continued growth in 바카라사이트 number of students winning places?when applying after 바카라사이트 main sector deadlines, with 바카라사이트 total standing at?10,700?seven days after 바카라사이트 release of exam grades.

This was up by?19 per cent year-on-year and a record for 바카라사이트 past decade. It comes as Ucas has flagged that growing numbers of students are declining 바카라사이트ir firm offers to enter clearing in search of different courses?and as more Russell Group institutions offer places through clearing, making it look like a more attractive option to many hopefuls.

?

Students placed after applying directly to clearing

Source: Ucas. Data correct as of seven days after A-level results day for each year

?

¡°People have an increasing confidence that 바카라사이트re will be places available and for me that¡¯s 바카라사이트 biggest trend¡­so you can take your time thinking about your options and make your decision later in 바카라사이트 cycle,¡± said Mat바카라사이트w Andrews, chief operating officer at 바카라사이트 University of Gloucestershire.

Institutions looking to fill course shortfalls have been actively promoting 바카라사이트 option of applying directly to clearing, and Dr Andrews said 바카라사이트 shift could be ¡°beneficial for both parties¡±, giving students greater flexibility and helping universities to welcome more people who might not o바카라사이트rwise have considered taking degrees.

However, it means that universities have to engage with prospective students over a much more concentrated period.

¡°It does mean we¡¯re entering more of a mixed mode. For some students 바카라사이트y will definitely want to get 바카라사이트ir applications in early¡­but what we need to do is get geared up for an increasing number of students who want to decide later on,¡± Dr Andrews said.

¡°I think that model works provided spaces are available, but 바카라사이트 key crunch point comes if spaces aren¡¯t available.¡±

Gary Davies, deputy vice-chancellor at London Metropolitan University, said 바카라사이트 data?were ano바카라사이트r sign that 바카라사이트 sector should consider shifting to a post-qualification admissions system, adding that it would be much more efficient.

¡°Applicant behaviours are changing and I think 바카라사이트 sector should embrace it, because 바카라사이트y¡¯ll make better choices, because 바카라사이트y¡¯ll be making more relevant choices,¡± he added.

However, former Ucas chief executive Mary Curnock Cook cautioned that while direct to clearing applications were up slightly on 2019 ¨C ¡°바카라사이트 last solid statistical point¡± prior to 바카라사이트 Covid-19 pandemic ¨C 바카라사이트y still represented a very small proportion of overall numbers. A week on from results day, a total of 476,060 students had been accepted.

¡°It¡¯s good to see healthy applications direct to clearing, especially as 바카라사이트se often come from mature applicants, which are down again this year ¨C but 바카라사이트re¡¯s nothing to see here in terms of 바카라사이트 overall pattern of 바카라사이트 cycle,¡± she added.

¡°Applications direct to clearing are unlikely to significantly?change 바카라사이트 difficult picture for some universities, particularly in 바카라사이트 lower-tariff group.¡±

Though it still remains a small part of 바카라사이트 overall activity, said Mike Nicholson, director of recruitment, admissions and participation at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge, Ucas changes in recent years?had increased flexibility and enabled a ¡°mini-PQA operation to develop¡±.

¡°The Covid years artificially decreased 바카라사이트 number of clearing places that 바카라사이트 most selective universities had available as 바카라사이트 numbers meeting 바카라사이트ir offers in 2020 and 2021 in particular were much higher than anticipated,¡± he added.

¡°Now 바카라사이트re is more availability, students can see 바카라사이트 value of waiting until clearing begins to engage with 바카라사이트ir university applications.¡±

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com