Students face fierce competition as fewer university courses become available

Ucas tells applicants to act quickly to avoid disappointment, with A-level results due in England, Wales and Northern Ireland next week

Students who miss out on their expected exam grades face fierce competition for university places this summer, with fewer vacancies on courses than in previous years.

A week before A-level results are published in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, several popular universities are reported to be full. This means applicants who fail to meet their grade offers will need to act quickly to secure a place elsewhere, the head of the Ucas admissions service said.