“Up to 50,000 sixth-formers will be denied places at university this autumn because of a surge in applications combined with a freeze in undergraduate places. Vice-chancellors and the head of the admissions service warned yesterday of a looming crisis, with many popular courses already full. Nearly one in ten applicants could be left without places at a time of bleak employment prospects for school-leavers. The number of places available through the clearing system — which gives students who missed their A-level grades another chance to apply — will be restricted severely. University heads accused ministers of threatening them with big fines if they took on too many students while encouraging more teenagers to apply …” (more)
[Joanna Sugden, Times, 9 April]