Bristol University has admitted technical problems had left some anxious students still unclear as to whether they have a place at the university.
As students tweeted their complaints, the university told the Guardian it had been experiencing communication issues.
On Friday, Ucas said more than 150,000 students had entered clearing, after failing to make the grades for their first choice. Universities may choose to accept students regardless of them failing to obtain the right grades, but students cannot enter the clearing system until they have officially been denied places at their initial choices.
Rachel Johnson, the journalist who is the sister of Boris Johnson, tweeted her frustration that her son Oliver had yet to learn whether he had secured a place at Bristol.
Ok my son now waiting for second day to hear from chaotic @BristolUni so unable to enter clearing and watching helplessly as courses fill
— Rachel Johnson (@RachelSJohnson) August 14, 2015
Anyone else suffering at hands of incompetent @BristolUni clearing which could be screwing up thousands of young people's hopes and chances?
— Rachel Johnson (@RachelSJohnson) August 14, 2015
The former editor of the Lady said she was concerned her son could potentially lose out as other universities filled up through clearing, but later said she had been mollified after a personal call from Bristol.
Slightly take it all back after very solicitous call from @BristolUni...personal touch always helps.
— Rachel Johnson (@RachelSJohnson) August 14, 2015
Several other students who did not make their predicted grades tweeted that they had experienced similar difficulties with the university’s system.
Some said they had lost places that they found via clearing, because Bristol had not contacted them in time about their conditional offers.
So I didn't get my firm, and Bristol won't give me a decision so I can't even go into clearing GREAT
— MycroftsGoldfish (@Katheri10341604) August 13, 2015
Like thanks to Bristol taking the piss I've lost two offers from my clearing choices cos the deadline passed
— Meera (@teainsolitude) August 13, 2015
If Bristol don't get back to me soon, I might not be able to find any spaces in clearing? This isn't fair
— Tanya (@t4ny4_) August 13, 2015
The university said it had experienced technical problems on A-level results day, and had been making personal calls to those who were left in uncertainty to try to resolve their situations.
A spokesman said: “We cannot comment on individual applicants due to issues of confidentiality. However, we know it’s been a very frustrating and anxious time for students who have struggled to get through on our results hotline.
“We’ve experienced an unprecedented number of calls over the past few days and unfortunately we’ve had some issues with our telephone system.
“Therefore, in cases where there’s been ongoing communication, we have called applicants once we’ve made a decision.”
The clearing service run through Ucas had a typically busy time the day after students received their A-level results, with a record 6,930 students securing undergraduate places on Friday – up 30% on previous years.
In total, 428,000 students have been given places, including applicants from inside and outside the EU. A further 157,000 were able to enter clearing, a drop compared with previous years because of the increasing proportion of students taking up unconditional offers.
A further 16,600 students were placed in UK HE yesterday. Total today is 426,000 (+4% on 2014) http://t.co/v5rZs4pSSn pic.twitter.com/0cimGVqSq3
— UCAS Analysis (@ucas_analysis) August 14, 2015
The use of unconditional offers – giving places regardless of grades – is said to have rocketed this year among leading universities such as Nottingham and Birmingham, signalling the intense competition for students.
There was another increase in students who got better than expected results taking advantage of the ability to trade up to more selective courses, known as adjustment, but the total remained small at 390.
The clearing phone lines were running hot at Dundee University, which said it had experienced a significant increase in enquiries. It attributed this to its high place in this year’s national student survey, which placed it as the top university in Scotland for student satisfaction.
Shane Collins, Dundee’s head of admissions, said: “We’re delighted that our strong reputation continues to grow across the UK and look forward to welcoming more students in September.”
