Record numbers of students are celebrating getting a UK university place today.
The proportion of A* and A grades was 25.8%, down by 0.1% on last year. The pass rate of 98.1% however, remained the same.
UCAS say 424,000 places have been offered, which is an increase of 3% from last year’s results day. Thousands of more places are expected to be made available through clearing, including in leading universities.
Universities have said this year could be a “buyer’s market” for applications, with universities competing to attract students due to the decline of the number of 18-year-olds and also the removal of the cap on the numbers they can recruit.
It has led to claims that universities have reduced their entry criteria in a bid to attract students.
This year’s results have also revealed an 11% increase in the percentage of EU students being awarded a place at university, with over 26,000 securing the chance to study at a UK university before Brexit.
Head of UCAS Mary Curnock Cook said: “The UK has some of the best universities in the world so it doesn’t surprise me that the Brexit vote doesn’t seem to have put EU students off studying here.”
Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: “It is hugely encouraging that this year sees a record 424,000 applicants already securing a place at one of our world-class universities, with increasing numbers from disadvantaged backgrounds gaining a place as well.
“We want to make our country a place where there is no limit on anyone’s ambition or what they can achieve.”
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