Universities ready for calls

Universities in the Midlands were today bracing themselves for thousands of calls from students who missed out on their predicted A-level grades.

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Extra staff were manning the clearing hotlines at Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and Birmingham Universities.

In Wolverhampton, representatives from all 10 of the uni's academic schools were offering advice.

Spokeswoman Vickie Woodward said 150 members of staff were answering the 2,000 expected calls.

Academic registrar Paul Travill said: "The university does still have places in a wide range of subjects and courses.

"My advice to anyone still thinking about starting university this September is to give our clearing hotline a ring."

Students can also talk to staff at he university's open day on August 18 between 10am and 4pm.

Mr Traveil added: "The Admissions team have confirmed more than 2,000 places this week with UCAS, and we are really pleased with the high numbers of applicants to the University of Wolverhampton this year.

"In many cases, where an applicant has missed the required results for their chosen course, we have been able to suggest alternatives."

Birmingham University's Great Hall has been transformed into clearing mission control with 100 staff on stand-by to cope with the 8,000 expected calls.

Director of admissions Roderick Smith said: "Clearing can be a stressful time for students and their families, but it's important they relax and try not to panic.

"Our team of advisers are on hand to guide students through the whole process and help them make the best decision."

The clearing calls centre is based at Staffordshire University's campus in Stoke-on-Trent. It is being manned by 15 full-time staff, drawn from the university's student recruitment team.

Linda Burgess, head of student recruitment at Staffordshire University, said the lines opened at 7.45am and received an estimated 200 calls within the first two hours.

"We got a lot of calls from students confirming their places first thing, but we have also been placing students who did not get their expected grades, perhaps by getting them on slightly different courses," she said.

By Elizabeth Joyce