Greenwich University that attracts many young people from local areas as well as mature students expects to see the change in the student profile. The head of admissions at Greenwich University, Bev Woodhams, is expecting a record number of calls on A-level results day with the increased demand for university places.
Woodhams says that Greenwich University will see a fierce competition this year with almost 180,000 secondary school leavers seeking university places. This year the university attracts more highly qualified students through clearing compared to previous years: 18,500 vacancies this year and 32,000 last year.
The head of admissions with 16 years' experience dealing with the clearing process is feeling nervous as the phone lines are to open soon. A team of 90 specially trained staff will handle general enquiries, confirm places for those students who have met their demands and recruit students for 1,000 free places at Greenwich University.
Steve Wallis, director of recruitment and admissions, wrote in his custom essay that although the clearing process usually lasts till September, this year most of the courses will be closed in a week. Woodhams says that the situation is "definitely tighter than last year" as this year 2,000 clearing vacancies are available.
Wallis who is monitoring call levels says that the number of calls – nearly 700 an hour – has almost doubled compared to the number of calls received last year. Tessa Blackstone, Greenwich's vice-chancellor and the former higher education minister, considers that press caused such a panic among students and their parents: "The media has completely overhyped the story. It's demotivating for young people who may ask what the point is of trying hard. Students with good grades will get a place at university this year."
