Students without a university place opt for part-time courses

With six students chasing every vacancy in clearing, teenagers are applying in unprecedented numbers to study two or three days a week or in the evenings.

The Open University said it had had a 36 per cent rise in course registrations from 18 to 21-year-olds, and Birkbeck College, which specialises in evening classes, said student interest was up by a quarter on last year. Six school-leavers shocked OU office staff in Milton Keynes yesterday by arriving to ask about courses.

A Standard investigation found that universities have been swamped with thousands of calls from sixth-formers looking for last-available places after a surge in demand for degrees. Also:

* A record 610,453 people applied to university through admissions service Ucas this year, up 10 per cent on 2008.

* 383,000 candidates have had their university places confirmed — more than before.

* 141,669 applicants are chasing an estimated 22,000 clearing places, 5,200 of which have been filled.

* Leading institutions, including Bristol, Oxford, Imperial College London, London School of Economics and University College London have announced they have no vacancies through clearing.

* Southampton University received 3,000 calls for 25 clearing vacancies, while Brunel took 7,000 inquiries for 600 places.

For the first time, Ucas advisers are suggesting students consider studying part-time. Christina Lloyd, Open University head of teaching, said the admissions office had seen unprecedented demand. "More young people are now choosing to stay at home and study, and continuing with their part-time jobs to avoid the kind of debt that comes with traditional institutions and tuition fees," she said.

"This year's surge in numbers could also be due to the wider economic downturn, with more people choosing to stay in education rather than seek out job opportunities."

A spokesman for Birkbeck said the university had booked 2,500 people on to its next open day, "far exceeding" those who attended last year's event.

Anthony Baafi, 19, from Hayes, narrowly missed out on his first choices to study business at Royal Holloway or Queen Mary after achieving two Bs and a C. He said: "I never anticipated any trouble finding a place to study."

Anum Naveed, 19, from Ilford, was refused places to study medicine despite having four As. She said: "I was so happy with my results but am totally confused that I cannot find a place. I will not give up on my dream."

Ministers have funded only an extra 13,000 places this year, despite 55,000 more applications being made.

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