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The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Students could still get into first choice university even if they don't get necessary grades
Students could still get into their first choice university even if they don't get the grades needed, a leading education chief has suggested. As a result, students are being advised to 'take stock' and think carefully before accepting a degree place on lower entry grades. Hundreds of thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive their A-level results on Thursday, with many finding out whether they have secured a place at their first choice university. Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK (UUK), said some universities in the country are 'really keen' this year to recruit 'as many students as they can' due to pressures facing the sector. University leaders have been warning of financial pressures due to uncertainty about the recruitment of overseas students as well as years of frozen tuition fees by domestic students. As such, it has been suggested that some universities are offering incentives and relaxing offers to fill places. Speaking ahead of A-level results day on Thursday, Ms Stern said: 'We have seen some evidence of universities dropping grades in order to fill places.' '(Students) should take stock of whether what they're being offered is right for them.' Ms Stern added: 'It's a bit of a buyer's market this admissions round.' 'It's been a very competitive admissions cycle from the institutional perspective. 'We know that some universities are offering places to students with lower grades than they might have done in the past. 'From a student point of view that might be really good news. 'Although I would just say think very carefully about what's right for you.' On the day before A-level results day, a sample of 129 of the UK's largest higher education providers showed there were 22,518 courses with vacancies for undergraduate students living in England on the Ucas clearing site – which matches applicants to university places yet to be filled. A similar analysis last year – carried out by PA on the day before A-level results day and looking at the same range of institutions – showed there were 22,774 courses with vacancies on the clearing site. Eighteen of the 24 Russell Group universities, which represent some of the most selective UK institutions, had vacancies on courses for English residents – a total of 3,492 courses between them. A similar analysis last year, the day before A-level results day, showed 17 of the 24 Russell Group universities had vacancies on courses for English residents – a total of 3,500 courses between them. Clearing is available to students who do not meet the conditions of their offer on A-level results day, as well as those who did not receive any offers. Students who have changed their mind about what or where they wish to study, and those who have applied outside the normal application window, can also use clearing. Ms Stern advised students waiting for their grades to spend some time familiarising themselves with the Ucas system and to look at the clearing site. She said: 'There are plenty of options available and whatever's happened it's almost certainly not a disaster and it won't be the end of everything. 'So take a big deep breath and don't panic.' Last week, Jo Saxton, head of Ucas, suggested a record number of 18-year-olds are expected to wake up on A-level results day to the news that they have been successful in securing their first-choice university. Ucas figures released last month revealed that the number of offers made to prospective undergraduate students from universities and colleges has reached a record high this year. Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, said: 'Some universities are now in survival mode — offering incentives, ramping up marketing, and relaxing offers to fill places. 'We must make every effort to ensure that students from all backgrounds are also well prepared and supported to succeed in their degrees.' Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank, said: 'It is a good year for applicants in the sense that demand is pretty flat so universities are having to fight over themselves to win new students. 'Universities do not want to have to close courses and make staff redundant but they will need to if they cannot fill their places.' Mike Nicholson, director of recruitment, admissions and participation at the University of Cambridge, said there had been a drift for students applying more to the well-known and 'more reputable universities' in recent years. The expert said that he was expecting more students to be looking in clearing for opportunities to do internships or placements as part of their degree. Mr Nicholson said: 'I think what we're probably seeing is students looking carefully at what the degree outcomes might be. 'We've seen a shift towards engineering degrees, mathematics degrees, associated degrees in medicine. 'They're all up significantly this year in applications.' Joanna Burton, head of policy (higher education) at the Russell Group, said: 'There is always some flexibility in offer-making decisions, and students may find they are accepted with grades slightly different to the advertised offer. 'However, our universities only admit students who show evidence they can meet the rigour of the course.' She said: 'While there appears to be some flattening out of the application rate among 18-year-olds, our universities are still seeing strong demand for courses that offer high-quality teaching and promising career prospects – and they're working hard to meet this demand.'
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Students urged to ‘take stock' before accepting degree places on lower grades
Students should 'take stock' and think carefully before accepting a degree place on lower entry grades, a university sector chief has said. Hundreds of thousands of students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive their A-level results on Thursday, with many finding out whether they have secured a place at their first choice university. Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK (UUK), said some universities in the country are 'really keen' this year to recruit 'as many students as they can' due to pressures facing the sector. University leaders have been warning of financial pressures due to uncertainty about the recruitment of overseas students as well as years of frozen tuition fees by domestic students. Speaking ahead of A-level results day on Thursday, Ms Stern told the PA news agency: 'We have seen some evidence of universities dropping grades in order to fill places.' She said: '(Students) should take stock of whether what they're being offered is right for them.' It has been suggested that some universities are offering incentives and relaxing offers to fill places. Ms Stern told PA: 'It's a bit of a buyer's market this admissions round.' She said: 'It's been a very competitive admissions cycle from the institutional perspective. 'We know that some universities are offering places to students with lower grades than they might have done in the past. 'From a student point of view that might be really good news. 'Although I would just say think very carefully about what's right for you.' On the day before A-level results day, a PA sample of 129 of the UK's largest higher education providers showed there were 22,518 courses with vacancies for undergraduate students living in England on the Ucas clearing site – which matches applicants to university places yet to be filled. A similar analysis last year – carried out by PA on the day before A-level results day and looking at the same range of institutions – showed there were 22,774 courses with vacancies on the clearing site. Eighteen of the 24 Russell Group universities, which represent some of the most selective UK institutions, had vacancies on courses for English residents – a total of 3,492 courses between them. A similar analysis last year, the day before A-level results day, showed 17 of the 24 Russell Group universities had vacancies on courses for English residents – a total of 3,500 courses between them. Clearing is available to students who do not meet the conditions of their offer on A-level results day, as well as those who did not receive any offers. Students who have changed their mind about what or where they wish to study, and those who have applied outside the normal application window, can also use clearing. Ms Stern advised students waiting for their grades to spend some time familiarising themselves with the Ucas system and to look at the clearing site. She said: 'There are plenty of options available and whatever's happened it's almost certainly not a disaster and it won't be the end of everything. 'So take a big deep breath and don't panic.' Last week, Jo Saxton, head of Ucas, suggested a record number of 18-year-olds are expected to wake up on A-level results day to the news that they have been successful in securing their first-choice university. Ucas figures released last month revealed that the number of offers made to prospective undergraduate students from universities and colleges has reached a record high this year. Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, told PA: 'Some universities are now in survival mode — offering incentives, ramping up marketing, and relaxing offers to fill places. 'We must make every effort to ensure that students from all backgrounds are also well prepared and supported to succeed in their degrees.' Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) think tank, said: 'It is a good year for applicants in the sense that demand is pretty flat so universities are having to fight over themselves to win new students. 'Universities do not want to have to close courses and make staff redundant but they will need to if they cannot fill their places.' Mike Nicholson, director of recruitment, admissions and participation at the University of Cambridge, said there had been a drift for students applying more to the well-known and 'more reputable universities' in recent years. The expert said that he was expecting more students to be looking in clearing for opportunities to do internships or placements as part of their degree. Mr Nicholson told PA: 'I think what we're probably seeing is students looking carefully at what the degree outcomes might be. 'We've seen a shift towards engineering degrees, mathematics degrees, associated degrees in medicine. 'They're all up significantly this year in applications.' Joanna Burton, head of policy (higher education) at the Russell Group, said: 'There is always some flexibility in offer-making decisions, and students may find they are accepted with grades slightly different to the advertised offer. 'However, our universities only admit students who show evidence they can meet the rigour of the course.' She said: 'While there appears to be some flattening out of the application rate among 18-year-olds, our universities are still seeing strong demand for courses that offer high-quality teaching and promising career prospects – and they're working hard to meet this demand.'
Economist
17-07-2025
- Business
- Economist
Britain's bankrupt universities are hunting for cheaper models
As the academic year in Britain limps to a close, universities look more broke than a student after a summer of Interrailing. The Office for Students, a regulator, reckons that four in ten universities are running deficits. Half have closed courses to save money, according to a poll of 60 institutions by Universities UK (UUK), an industry group. Durham has shed 200 staff; Newcastle a similar number. Unions allege that a cost-saving plan announced by Lancaster could see close to one in five of its academics lose their job.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UK higher education feels the pinch of funding crunch, over 50 universities drop in QS world rankings
A significant number of UK universities have experienced a decline in the latest QS World University Rankings, primarily due to funding concerns. While a few institutions maintained top positions, a majority witnessed a drop, raising alarms about the impact of inadequate investment and policy changes on the quality of UK higher education. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Also Read: IIT Delhi leads among 54 other Indian institutions in QS World University Rankings 2026 Also Read: Harvard wins again as judge blocks Trump ban on international students Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Over 50 UK universities have dropped in the latest QS World University Rankings , with funding concerns emerging as a key factor behind the the 2026 edition of the global rankings, 54 UK universities saw a fall in position. While four institutions made it to the top ten, including Imperial College London , which retained its No. 2 spot globally, 61% of UK universities saw their rankings decline. Oxford dropped to fourth, and Cambridge slipped to sixth. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States remained at the College London held on to its ninth-place position. Meanwhile, the Universities of Sheffield and Nottingham re-entered the global top 100 at ranks 92 and 97, respectively. Universities UK (UUK), representing 141 institutions, pointed to inadequate investment as a growing concern. As per a report by The Times, Vivienne Stern, chief executive of UUK, said, 'This decline isn't inevitable. Universities are already working extensively to transform their work in the face of funding pressures and, with a commitment from the government to a long-term and lasting funding settlement, this slight downturn can be reversed.'Jessica Turner, CEO of QS, said government policy could impact the quality of UK higher education. 'The UK government is seeking to slash capital funding in a higher education system that has already sustained financial pressure,' she noted, adding that policies such as shortening the post-study visa route and introducing a levy on international students may hurt the country's education added that while other countries are increasing investment in their universities, the UK risks falling the overall dip, 24 UK universities improved their rankings, and 11 maintained their positions. However, nearly 100 institutions are believed to be undergoing restructuring, with several cutting staff and courses. At least ten are reportedly at risk of insolvency.
Forbes
04-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Trump's Tariffs On Steel And Aluminum Rise To 50%
US tariffs on steel and aluminum doubled from 25% to 50% early on Wednesday, in a move that President Donald Trump announced during a rally at a U.S. Steel mill in Pennsylvania last week, claiming the move would 'further secure' the country's steel industry. Tariffs on steel and aluminum imports rose from 25% to 50% on Wednesday. In its announcement, the White House described the hike in tariffs as a move to counter 'trade practices that undermine national security.' The announcement said the president was acting to protect the U.S. steel and aluminum industry from harm and accused foreign nations of 'flooding' the American market with 'cheap steel and aluminum, often subsidized by their governments.' The tariff rate on steel imported from the U.K. will remain at 25% at least until July 9, but that may change depending on the status of the 'U.S.-U.K. Economic Prosperity Deal.' The White House also said it has started cracking down on 'false import declarations' by forcing strict reporting of steel and aluminum content and imposing 'tough penalties like fines or loss of import rights for violators.' After announcing the move, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: 'Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before. This will be yet another BIG jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminum workers.' Earlier this week, Olaf Gill, the European Commission's spokesperson on trade said: 'We strongly regret the announced increase of steel tariffs from 25% to 50% by the U.S. We believe that this decision adds further uncertainty to the global economy and increases costs for consumers and businesses.' Gill said EU trade officials are set to meet their U.S. counterparts on Wednesday and if no resolution is reached 'both existing and possibly additional' EU countermeasures will 'automatically take effect on July 14th or earlier.' Canada, which is the largest foreign supplier of both steel and aluminum to the U.S., also criticized the move, calling it 'unlawful and unjustified.'. A spokesperson from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's office told CTV News: 'Canada's new government is engaged in intensive and live negotiations to have these and other tariffs removed as part of a new economic and security partnership with the United States.'
