Students face 'hardest year ever' to get into university

UNIVERSITY applicants who did not achieve expected grades in their school exams have been warned they face a scramble for fewer places this year.

University leaders said soaring applications, combined with record results in Higher exams, mean this will be the hardest year ever for those who did not get the necessary grades.

The warning comes as admissions body UCAS revealed record numbers were chasing fewer university places. It recommended those who were unsuccessful considered alternatives such as part-time learning, re-applying next year or even other education options.

Lecturers warned many would lose out, while student leaders urged the government not to think of students as a "drain on resources" but as an investment.

Official statistics from UCAS showed 20,651 Scottish applicants had been accepted on to a university or college place by midnight last night, compared with 19,944 on exam results day last year - a 3.5 per cent rise.

With some universities, such as Edinburgh, reducing places this year to balance out over-subscription caused by soaring demand last year, there is likely to be a greater battle for clearing places than ever before. In total last year, 31,030 Scottish applicants were accepted by universities and colleges, 29,244 of them at institutions in Scotland.

A spokesman for Universities Scotland said: "For those who haven't got into a university and are hoping to get a place through clearing, it is probably going to be the toughest year ever.

"Our message is, if you are in this position, don't delay - contact the universities you are interested in as soon as possible, as there is no time to spare."

Yesterday, more than 160,000 people received Standard grade, Intermediate, Higher and Advanced Higher exam results, with a record 74.6 per cent pass rate at Higher.

Andrea Robertson, a UCAS director, urged those who miss out on a place to consider part-time study, reapplying for next year or other education options outside university.

She said: "For those who didn't get the results they needed, there are several options open, not least the chance of securing a place through clearing.

"The important thing to remember is not to rush any decision, be flexible and be clear about what you want to do."

Some 2,462 Scottish students found a place last year through clearing, the system that matches potential students with remaining university places.

University lecturers warned many would miss out on a place this year as universities feared a fine if they accepted too many students.

Mary Senior, of the University and College Union, said: "The fact that thousands more students will miss out on the opportunity to better themselves is tragic. The situation exposes the folly of the decision to cap student places and to impose such heavy penalties for universities who over-recruit.

"Other countries are increasing the number of graduates to compete in a high-skill knowledge economy, while Scotland stands still. It is now imperative we find funding to ensure we close this skills gap."

Student leaders warned against "letting down" those who had worked had to achieve good results.

NUS Scotland president Liam Burns said: "It is critical that we don't let these new students down, but provide them with the financial support they need to succeed in their studies and graduate. Neither students, employers nor society benefit if acceptance letters don't eventually translate into degrees because students couldn't afford to finish their course."

He said students should not be seen as a drain on resources but an investment. "The economy is going to improve, and an increase of well-educated graduates will make that economic recovery even more robust," he said.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We have provided record levels of funding to universities this year, nearly 1.1 billion, and supported an additional 7,500 student places precisely because of the difficult economic times.

"We will continue to work with UCAS, SFC (Scottish Funding Council] and the sector to closely monitor the demand for places."

Pupils from one street - but five schools - with plenty to celebrate

ALTHOUGH this group of teenagers celebrating exam results together yesterday, live in the same street - Whitehill Avenue in Stepps - they attend different schools.

Paul O'Connor, 18, of Our Lady's High in Cumbernauld, passed the PE Higher he needed to study earth science at Glasgow University, while his sister Erin, 15, achieved seven ones and a two in her Standard grades.

David Murray, 16, who goes to Chryston High, achieved eight Standard grades, and hopes to study music at university, while Niall MacLeod, 18, of Hillpark Secondary hopes to take a science degree with his five Higher passes.

Hannah Moretti, 16, of Lenzie Academy, hopes to become a vet after scooping eight top-level Standard grades.

But the stressful wait for results is not over for some in other parts of Scotland.

Katie Vokes, 18, of Firhill High in Edinburgh achieved straight As in four Advanced Highers this year after taking her Higher maths a year early.

And she has racked up another four top grades in applied maths, chemistry, physics and French to add to other Highers in English, French, physics and chemistry.

However, she still faces a further anxious wait on yet another result.

She said: "I've got a place at Durham to study maths, but I've also got a conditional place at Cambridge so I'm just waiting to find out results of the entrance exam for that, which could be another couple of weeks."

Despite scoring high grades throughout her school exam career over the past three years, she said she was still nervous when opening the envelope containing her marks yesterday, commenting: "You never know how you are going to do."

Ruairidh Maxwell, 15, of Leith in Edinburgh, was delighted to take top grades in his seven Standard grades and one Intermediate yesterday. He hopes to become an architect.

He said: "I'm very happy. I'd have been happy with some grades twos but I'm so glad they are all ones.

"At times studying and revising was quite stressful but my parents have been really supportive."

He is preparing to return to school to take Highers next month.

The Boroughmuir pupil's proud father, Alex, said: "He has four older sisters who have all done really well but I think he's outdone even them."