University acceptance rates for students with lower grades on the rise

University acceptance rates among students who achieve C and D grades at A-level are on the increase, according to the latest official statistics, revealing that record proportions of English and Scottish 18-year-olds were accepted into university this year.The figures, published by the university admissions service Ucas, would fuel fears of a bums-on-seats approach to recruitment by some institutions, as they struggle to fill courses due to a decline in the number of 18-year-olds.The data showed that of the 44,000 students who achieved three Cs or lower at A-level this summer, the university acceptance rate was 84% compared with 79% five years ago. Applicants with A-level points equivalent to three Ds had an acceptance rate of over 80%.The proportion of applicants missing their predicted grades has also been growing, and they have missed them by a greater margin. According to Ucas, the proportion of placed applicants achieving fewer points than predicted has risen from 73.3% in 2013 to 76.8% this year.The proportion of those missing their predicted grades by three or more grades has increased by 3.3 percentage points since 2017, and 11.5 percentage points since 2013. Clare Marchant, the Ucas chief, said universities should be “mindful” of accepting applicants with lower grades.