Foreigners favoured in 'two-tier' university clearing

Just 24 hours before the publication of A-level results last Thursday, it was disclosed that many institutions were effectively operating ‘two-tier’ clearing systems, with more courses being made available for students applying from outside Britain and Europe, writes Graeme Paton for The Telegraph.

Research by The Daily Telegraph suggests that universities were preparing to take advantage of rules that allow institutions to take unlimited numbers of foreign students, who can be charged much higher tuition fees, up to £26,000 (US$40,800) a year. The rules restrict the recruitment of home undergraduates.

In England, vice-chancellors are being given new powers to admit extra British students with good A-level grades – two As and a B – in a partial lifting of strict number controls. But some universities, such as Manchester, Nottingham, Newcastle and Essex, suggested that applications from well-qualified foreign candidates were still likely to be processed after courses for other students had been filled.
Full report on The Telegraph site