UNITED KINGDOM

UK: University error leaves hundreds without places

Almost 200 high-flying A-level students had their places confirmed at Exeter University, only to discover that they had in fact been rejected and had missed out on places at other universities, it emerged last week. Another equally large group were offered a place at the wrong campus, reports Jessica Shepherd for The Guardian.

The sixth-formers, many of whom had almost straight-A grades but had narrowly missed their offers for Exeter, celebrated after receiving congratulatory letters from the university admissions service, Ucas, confirming their places.

But when some went to check again online hours later, they found they had been rejected. A clerical mistake at Exeter had led 190 students to be accepted in error. The university tried to call all the students involved, but many will now be left without a university place this year because they missed the first five days of clearing.
Full report on The Guardian site