A-level pupils are less likely to get into top universities through clearing this year, experts have warned, amid a surge in demand and restriction of slots.
More than 20,000 A-level students found out on Thursday that they did not have a university place – up 46 per cent on last year’s figures – but the number of clearing places remained roughly the same at around 27,000.
This year’s results mark the first time since the pandemic began that students have been assessed via exams.
2020 and 2021 saw widespread grade inflation as a result of internal assessment, leading to more students meeting their offers and taking up university places. Experts said that top universities had sought to be more cautious with offers and clearing slots this year after a bumper year in 2021.
