Thousands of students could miss out on university first choices, says professor

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. For many of this year’s school leavers the hard work did not end with A-levels, but begins again on results day in the chase for the coveted places Professor Alan Smithers, University of Buckingham “Universities have reacted to the teacher-assessment boom in top grades by raising requirements and reducing firm offers. In June, Ucas’s chief executive Clare Marchant warned that this year will “undoubtedly be more competitive for some courses and providers”, with 49% of teachers having told the admissions service they were less confident their students would get their first choice of university compared with previous years and around two in five teachers expecting their students to use the clearing process. “According to Ucas, while the number of people deferring last year to this year did increase slightly, it won’t affect the vast majority of courses this year.” Responding to the report, Ms Marchant said Ucas is predicting a “record, or near record, number of 18-year-olds getting their first choice this year” but added that “as in any year, some students will be disappointed when they receive their grades”. A Department for Education spokesman rejected suggestions around deferrals and increased demand from overseas students, saying: “Last year did not see a high number of deferrals compared to previous years and UK students take up the vast majority of places on university undergraduate courses compared to international students, so it is not right to suggest that these factors have caused a squeeze on places.