A Level Results Out

Record numbers apply for university

Thousands of students from Ealing will hear if they have got the right grades to make university today.

A record 660,000 people had applied to university by June this year but only 482,000 places were awarded in 2009.

Applications this year are already up by 12% on last year's record level, numbers of applicants were bolstered by people re-applying after not securing a place last year.

There is a cap on places and universities have been warned they face a fine if they over-recruit.

Around 250,000 Students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be receiving their results online, by text, e-mail, post and in person through their schools and colleges, and the exam boards.

Many colleges, including Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College have taken on extra staff for their clearing hotlines.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, Ucas, which co-ordinates university applications, will post details of vacancies available through clearing on its website from midnight on Thursday.

19 August 2010