1,500 students bid to secure one of the 100 remaining places at university
STUDENTS in Lincolnshire might have managed an impressive 98.1 per cent A-level pass rate, but many will still be facing the nightmare of clearing.
The University of Lincoln's clearing call centre was operating at full force, fielding calls from students desperate to secure one of 100 places available.
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Tom Austin, 23, in the call centre at Lincoln University.
With a 66 per cent drop in clearing places available at the university, the majority were left disappointed.
Pro vice-chancellor for external affairs at the university Scott Davidson said: "It was very, very busy on Thursday. We took twice as many calls in the morning as we did last year.
"In total, they took 1,500 calls on Thursday.
"Our admissions manager said that all the students were very well prepared and knew what they wanted.
"I think there might be a knock-on effect next year as the students who haven't got a place this year will be reapplying next year and increasing the competition for places."
With the university's rise up the rankings, there has been an increase in applications.
Professor Davidson said: "We have a partnership with local schools and colleges, whereby if pupils apply they automatically get an offer at our usual tariff. If they achieve that they get a place."
Statistics published by the university admissions service Ucas showed there are 18,484 courses with vacancies at this stage – down from 32,000 overall last summer.
And across the country there is an estimated 27 per cent increase in pupils trying their luck in clearing – making it tougher than usual to get a place.
Admissions manager Caroline Connell said: "Even we were surprised by how busy it was in the morning, but we were prepared.
"We had some very well qualified students phoning up and we tried to help them as much as possible. Unfortunately, we couldn't help everybody.
"I would say it was the busiest morning we've had."
Schools in the county make an effort to help pupils through clearing as much as possible.
Post-16 coordinator Keith Jones from Yarborough School said: "I'm aware of two of our students who didn't get into their choice of university and, as yet, haven't been able to get an alternative through clearing.
"It is very sad to hear that this year capable students are unable to get into university when ordinarily they might well have.
"Naturally, the school and I will do everything possible in terms of additional support to ensure a successful outcome."
This year the University of Lincoln clearing centre took 1,123 calls from 9am until midday on Thursday, compared to 593 last year.
Anyone still concerned about getting a place can call the clearing helpline on (0871) 4680468.
10 Comments
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by Ben, Lincoln
Monday, August 23 2010, 9:33AM
“We could read about it, Julian, but in case you haven't noticed, this is the first response you've ever had to your retarded links in all the weeks you've been posting them.
We're not interested, so p*** off and spam another site that's more suited to someone with your mentality. If CBeebies has a forum, you could try there.”
by Julian, Slovenia
Sunday, August 22 2010, 10:25PM
“ALL the places should be given to foreign students.
98.1% is nothing.
Here in Slovenia our economics graduates are regularly achieving pass rates of 253% and more.
Education is so successful here that the former boss of the beer company allegedly managed to lend himself over 100m euros.
You can read an impartial account of the proceedings in the beer company's national newspaper here.”
by John, Lincoln
Sunday, August 22 2010, 10:24AM
“Sorry about the superfluous comma and the missing space in my post. It's not my lack of education. My eyesight's just not at its best this morning.”
by John, Lincoln
Sunday, August 22 2010, 10:21AM
“Judging from the poor command of the English language,and the lack of even a basic general knowledge displayed by the recent graduates I have met, I would say that I obtained a better education at grammar school in the 1970s,than most kids get at University nowadays. That's how far educational standards have slipped, despite what the government may claim.”
by Dan D, Lincoln
Saturday, August 21 2010, 10:39PM
“Steve - you're mistaken.
The cap on places is for those that receive government funding - which does not include international students.
So the University can recruit as many International Students as it likes, it makes no difference to the number of places on offer to home students. In fact, it simply brings more income - the benefit of which is also felt by home students when it's invested into great facilities and fantastic academic staff.”