Joking aside (previous post), this year will prove a very competitive year for getting into university. Because of the recession and rising unemployment, there is increased demand for going to university. Especially amongst mature students, doing a degree is seen as a way to avoid the difficult jobs market – hoping conditions will have improved after the degree.
The consequence of this is that there are likely to much fewer places in clearing. Students who miss their offered grades will find a small selection of spare spaces. In previous years, there has often been many places available in clearing – requiring low grades. But, this year, there will be less places on offer.