More chance of a top university place this year, students told

STUDENTS have more chance of getting accepted at a top university this year, the chief of a Russell Group institution has said.

There will be more places left over at the country’s best universities due to the fall in demand from overseas students, according to Prof Wyn Morgan, vice-president for education at the University of Sheffield. His remarks come ahead of the deadline tomorrow for prospective students to decide whether or not they accept a place for this autumn.

Universities are braced for a wave of deferrals as they fear that the prospect of online lectures, “virtual” freshers’ weeks and severely restricted social activities will put students off taking up their places this year. Ucas, the university admissions service, predicted that tens of thousands fewer domestic students could start university this year.

The organisation estimated that, in a worst-case scenario, there would be up to 10 per cent fewer students starting courses in the autumn compared with last year.

But Prof Morgan said that students should view going to university in the current situation as an “opportunity”. “It’s a good year to try to get into one of the best universities,” he said.

“If people defer, there are going to be more people going next year and it’s going to be a tougher environment.

“We would never force a decision on students, but we would argue it’s probably best to come now while you have got the chance.”

The professor of economics said he believed there would be more spaces available this year due to overseas students not taking places.

There is also a demographic dip in the 18-year-old population, meaning there are fewer students competing for places this year.

Prof Morgan admitted students would have a “different” experience but said the quality of teaching will not be affected by the pandemic.

“We recognise it’s going to be different, we want to make it not feel like it’s a problem, we want to feel like it’s quite exciting,” he said.

“You’re going to be a cohort that’s doing things in a different way – make that a positive rather than thinking of what you’re missing out on.” Earlier this month, The Daily Telegraph revealed that top universities are preparing to lower offers to fill their places this autumn.

‘If people defer, there are going to be more people going next year and it will be a tougher environment.’