The number of students being placed at UK universities through clearing following the release of A-level results has shot up 65 per cent year-on-year.

Ucas said 3,660 applicants were on 13 August, compared to 2,220 on A-level results day last year.

Applicants were able to confirm offers received through clearing from 5pm onwards on 13 August.

Clearing had been predicted to be more competitive than ever, with many English universities believed to be looking to expand following the lifting of student number controls.

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In total, 426,070 applicants had been placed at UK universities by the end of 13 August, compared to 409,410 as results were announced.

The total number of applicants who had been placed in so-called "main scheme" clearing by the end of 13 August ¨C including students who took BTEC qualifications and Scottish highers, and therefore received their results earlier ¨C stood at 6,910. This was up 29 per cent on the same point last year.

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In addition, another 2,370 students had been placed by submitting their application at the clearing stage, up 22 per cent on last year.

Ucas said 154,850 students were still looking for a university place at the end of 13 August.

Figures from Ucas also reveal a significant increase (albeit on a low base) in use of the adjustment service, which allows applicants to ¡°trade up¡± an offer if they do better than expected.

By the end of 13 August, 390 students had been placed through adjustment, up 22 per cent on the same point last year. A total of 1,200 students used the adjustment service during the whole of the 2014 application cycle.

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Ucas said that it there had been 1.3 million log-ins to its online clearing system by 6.30pm on 13 August, with 110,689 visitors to its website.

The admissions service¡¯s contact centre had dealt with more than 16,000 calls, and its social media team handled a further 3,453 messages.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com