One in four expecting top A-level grades

SIXTH-FORM STUDENTS across the country are to receive their Alevel results today after months of hard work, with around one in four expected to be awarded the highest grades.

There have been major reforms this year, in a move further away from coursework and modular exams, sparking concern from unions about the focus on “high-stakes” tests.

But youngsters face a “buyers’ market” when it comes tothe university clearing system, academic leaders have said, as institutions scramble to attract good candidates. Across the region, analysis by

The Yorkshire Post has found, there are thousands of spaces still open for applications at the region’s universities, including coveted spots at some of those with the highest ratings.

Dr Christina Edgar, director of admissions at the University of Sheffield said the clearing system has changed considerably, losing its stigma of being a stressful race for places among students who have not “made the grade”.

“It’s now very much seen as an opportunity for students who want to shop around for different courses or even ‘trade up’ to a higher ranked university if they’ve done better than expected in their exams,” she said.

“This year we’ve also seen a demographic dip in 18-year-olds, so this late application window offers a real chance for students to see what else is on offer.”

Across England, as of yesterday, there were 26,350 undergraduate courses on the Ucas clearing website, with at least nine out of 10 universities having one course listed.