Document numbers of UK 18-year-olds have secured a spot at college or faculty after the primary exams because the pandemic, however an training leaders’ group warned that “enormous numbers” of scholars are additionally lacking out.
Newly-released figures confirmed 275,390 college students had been accepted onto a course some 28 days after college students throughout England, Wales and Northern Eire obtained their A-level outcomes.
That determine is up 1% on final 12 months and a 15% rise from 239,460 in 2019, which was the final time outcomes have been primarily based on exams fairly than trainer evaluation.
Of the 21,000 college students who didn't have a spot on outcomes day after getting their grades, 58% have since gone on to safe a spot, the Universities and Faculties Admissions Service (Ucas) stated.
Whereas that's up from 55% final 12 months, it's down from 62% in 2019, the organisation stated.
Within the figures, launched on Thursday, Ucas additionally stated the variety of 18-year-olds from probably the most deprived areas within the UK accepted into college has reached an all-time excessive.
They gave the determine as 31,890, which is up from 30,280 final 12 months and 26,000 in 2019.
The evaluation confirmed 14,760 UK 18-year-olds used clearing to change programs this 12 months and of these, 11,800 secured a brand new place at an equal or larger tariff college.
Ucas stated 62,200 worldwide college students of all ages and 78,160 mature learners – college students aged 21 and over – have been positioned at college this 12 months.
That could be a 10% fall on 2021 and down 11% from 2019, they stated.
Ucas chief government Clare Marchant stated: “This 12 months we see a file variety of college students, together with excessive numbers of deprived college students, about to start out their course at college or faculty primarily based on exams outcomes.
“We predicted clearing can be dynamic this 12 months and I'm happy to see file numbers of UK 18-year-old college students safe a spot in clearing.
“This consists of important numbers of scholars making extra bold selections through the use of the digital instruments we make obtainable to them.
“With excessive demand for college locations, it additionally exhibits that college students at the moment are confidently utilizing a extra digital and personalised clearing to discover different choices obtainable to them.
“For college kids who're nonetheless contemplating their choices, Ucas is readily available to assist them make an knowledgeable determination that most accurately fits their aspirations. There stays loads of alternative with greater than 22,000 programs obtainable in clearing, together with a spread of apprenticeship alternatives.”
Too many younger individuals seem to have been let down by a better training system which ought to have carried out higher for themGeoff Barton, ASCL
Geoff Barton, normal secretary of the Affiliation of College and School Leaders (ASCL), warned that the projected continued rise within the inhabitants of 18-year-olds is prone to put additional strain on college locations in future.
He stated: “Whereas there could also be file numbers of scholars getting into larger training, there are additionally enormous numbers lacking out.
“Many of those candidates are younger individuals who have been hit by the results of the pandemic which has precipitated extreme disruption to their training over the previous two years, and so they deserve and want as a lot help as attainable.
“As an alternative, we see that the proportion of scholars securing a spot by means of clearing this 12 months has truly fallen to 58% in comparison with 62% in 2019 when exams have been final taken.
“Too many younger individuals seem to have been let down by a better training system which ought to have carried out higher for them.”
He known as for extra concentrate on choices for younger individuals, together with alternate options to college.
He stated: “The upper training sector, the federal government and employers all want to consider how they create alternatives for all younger individuals sooner or later, not solely at universities however by means of apprenticeship schemes which supply ample breadth and high quality throughout a spread of industries.
“This have to be supported by extra authorities funding in impartial careers recommendation and data which faculties and faculties can draw upon to assist their college students determine and safe the alternatives which greatest go well with their wants.
“We should turn into a society which genuinely promotes and facilitates a spread of pathways for younger individuals, permitting them to fulfil their aspirations and supply the array of expertise the nation requires for a profitable and affluent future.”
A spokesperson for the Division for Schooling stated: “This knowledge exhibits college students this 12 months have been utilizing clearing to their benefit by exploring the choices which might be obtainable to them and making extra knowledgeable selections.
“Whereas 21,000 college students missed the phrases of their supply on outcomes day – fewer college students than in 2019 – of these, 58% have gone on to safe a spot at college which is consistent with each 2019 and 2021.”