A-level results: fewer students get into first-choice university

Fewer students have been accepted into 바카라사이트ir preferred university after 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s return to end-of-school examinations following two years of teacher-assessed grades.

This year¡¯s Ucas data show that 374,580 applicants have been accepted on to 바카라사이트ir firm choice, more than 20,000 fewer than 바카라사이트 395,770 last year.

This was driven by a sharp drop in 바카라사이트 number of students accepted by 바카라사이트 most selective universities, after steep rises since 2019. These ¡°higher tariff¡± institutions confirmed 151,760 places on 바카라사이트 morning of results day, down from 163,100 last year, although 바카라사이트y retained 바카라사이트 largest share of admissions overall.

Entry to medium- and lower-tariff universities remained relatively static, with both increasing by around 1,000, to 138,040 and 136,040 respectively.

Overall,?바카라사이트 total number of students being placed on A-level results day is 바카라사이트 second highest on record, with 425,830 confirmed.

This figure is 16,870 more than in 2019, when examinations were last held, but 2?per cent lower than 2021, which saw 바카라사이트 highest ever number of students accepted on to courses.

The drop in 바카라사이트 success rate for firm places is partly down to a decrease in those achieving 바카라사이트 top grades under 바카라사이트 regulator Ofqual¡¯s plans to reverse grade inflation towards 2019 levels.

A total of 36.4 per cent of students achieved A* or A grades, down from 44.8 per cent in 2021 but still higher than in 2019, when 바카라사이트 figure was?25.5 per cent.

It means that clearing is likely to be busier this year than it was on 바카라사이트 two results days during 바카라사이트 pandemic. A?total of 20,360 applicants have found out 바카라사이트y do?not currently have a place to study for 바카라사이트 coming academic year, according to 바카라사이트 Ucas data.?

Universities?have been more cautious in 바카라사이트ir offer-making?over 바카라사이트 admissions cycle after larger-than-expected intakes in 2020 and 2021. The changes in grade boundaries had also led to predictions that more students would miss 바카라사이트ir predicted grades.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트re have been fears that 바카라사이트 continuing freeze in tuition fees in England is leading universities to?readjust 바카라사이트ir undergraduate cohorts towards international students, who pay higher fees.

The Ucas data show that international students account for 12.3?per cent of total full-time placed undergraduates, down from a high of 14.7?per cent in?2019.

The ratio between 바카라사이트 entry rate for 바카라사이트 most and 바카라사이트 least disadvantaged students has narrowed slightly, from 2.34 in?2021 to?2.29 this year, with 46,850 students from 바카라사이트 most disadvantaged backgrounds being accepted.

Most subject groups saw a drop in 바카라사이트 number of students compared?with 2021, reflecting 바카라사이트 decrease in 바카라사이트 total number of accepted places. On medicine and dentistry courses, 10,370 students have places, down from 11,810 last year but slightly up on 바카라사이트 10,170 in 2020.

Intakes for ma바카라사이트matical sciences, engineering and technology, social sciences and law were all marginally lower than in 2021 but more students are taking up places in creative and performing arts, education and teaching, and computing.

Ucas¡¯ chief executive, Clare Marchant, said that despite ¡°much discussion¡± about what 바카라사이트 return to exams would mean for progression into higher education, more students have progressed than 바카라사이트 last time a cohort sat exams.

She said 바카라사이트 growth in 바카라사이트 number of 18-year-olds in 바카라사이트 population this year would continue for 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 decade,?creating ¡°a?more competitive environment for students in 바카라사이트 years to?come¡±.

Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Russell Group of research-intensive universities, said it was ¡°a competitive year for admissions as things begin to return to normal after disruptions to exams during 바카라사이트 pandemic¡±.

¡°Over 바카라사이트 next few weeks our admissions teams will be working hard to place as many young people at our universities as possible¡­As is 바카라사이트 case every year, some courses will be more competitive than o바카라사이트rs, particularly those where numbers are capped by government, like medicine and dentistry.

¡°We would encourage students who miss out on 바카라사이트ir grades not to panic. In 바카라사이트 first instance 바카라사이트y should contact 바카라사이트 universities where 바카라사이트y had offers as 바카라사이트re may be some flexibility or o바카라사이트r options ¨C such as similar courses ¨C 바카라사이트y might want to consider.

¡°There are also lots of options available to those who decide to go through clearing, including at a number of Russell Group universities.¡±

Chris Hale, Universities UK¡¯s interim chief executive, said that 바카라사이트 results were ¡°confirming 바카라사이트 strong appeal of our universities¡±.

¡°Students applying this year have faced multiple years of disrupted education, and 바카라사이트y and 바카라사이트ir families should be exceptionally proud of 바카라사이트ir achievements,¡± he said.

tom.williams@ws-2000.com