University Alliance, which represents leading professional and technical universities, has responded to this year’s A level results.
Data from UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, shows that 91% of UK students have been placed at one of their chosen universities this year, and 79%. This is a rise of 3% and 5% respectively since 2019, the last ‘normal’ exam year before the pandemic.
University Alliance CEO Vanessa Wilson congratulated the students who had secured their place, and reassured those who are seeking places through clearing, as well as issuing advice to those considering appealing their grades.
University Alliance members educate one in three nurses in England, and the Alliance has noted the 13% drop in confirmed nursing students since last year. Whilst this could be seen as a ‘return to normal’ following a spike in interest in nursing at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vanessa Wilson, University Alliance CEO, noted the need to protect the pipeline of skills into the NHS.
On the number of students who have secured university places, Vanessa Wilson CEO of University Alliance said:
“It’s fantastic news that 91% of applicants have been placed at one of their chosen universities this year. On such a nerve-wracking day, it’s reassuring for so many students to get the outcome they deserve for their hard work. This cohort of students has had a particularly difficult time, and they should be immensely proud of all they have achieved.
For those that didn’t get the places they wanted, it is not the end of your university journey this year. Though clearing can feel like a stressful option, university admissions teams are on hand to make the process as easy as possible – and it can be a wonderful way of finding new avenues for your higher education journey.”
Advice for applicants who didn’t receive the grades they wanted:
“We know students who missed out on the grades they wanted will feel very disappointed, but there are plenty of options and we encourage students to stay calm, get online or on the phone to the universities they are interested in and explore their choices.
Applicants considering appealing their grades and should talk to their school or college, as well as to prospective universities to make sure they have all the information they need to make a decision. Grades in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can go up or down on appeal.
If applicants are thinking of appealing, they should let their university choices know as soon as possible.”
On the drop in the number of confirmed nursing students:
“Whilst this year’s drop in nursing students may seem significant, it should be noted that there was a spike in interest for during the pandemic, and we are now seeing a return to normal pre-pandemic levels.
“It is essential that we maintain a strong skills pipeline into our health service, and we would of course hope to see numbers continuing to grow year on year.
A career in healthcare obviously has its challenges, but it is also highly fulfilling to those who undertake it and we know nursing students at Alliance universities enjoy their time studying. To attract young people into these professions, we all need to be highlighting just how rewarding and valued they can be.”
