Thousands of good A-level students won’t get top university offer

School leavers predicted three Bs face struggle as competition grows for places at elite institutions

More than 10,000 school leavers who are predicted three Bs in their A-levels this summer have not got a firm offer at any university, as competition for places at top institutions places increases.

Experts say that in recent years school leavers were entering a buyer's market" in university places, with applicants standing a good chance of talking their way into a good university even if they missed a grade. But this year, with elite universities fearful of over-recruiting after being forced to take more students than they wanted during the pandemic, and a demographic surge in the number of 18-year-olds, competition has been fierce.