Prospective students hoping to get into Dundee’s two universities through the clearing system are set to struggle due to a shortage of places.
Most programmes at Dundee University have been closed since the early part of the year and the institution has received a particularly high volume of applications.
Meanwhile, Abertay University has been flooded with enquiries about its remaining clearing places and is expecting another surge when the A-level results are released next week.
Eight out of Scotland’s 15 universities have announced they will not be taking candidates through the annual clearing process.
More than 2000 places were offered through the process last year but that figure is expected to drop to a few hundred this time.
Applicants who have achieved the grades they required will be safe, but those who have not may struggle to find alternative courses.
A spokesman for Dundee University said, “Virtually every programme has been closed since February, although a few places remain on the community education course.
“Technically, we are still advertising places for nursing, but this is because the programme also has a January intake, the recruitment cycle for which continues into 2011.”
A spokesman for Abertay University said, “Applications this year have been extremely strong, which is very positive, but this does mean there are a very limited number of places available for clearing.
“Courses available when we opened clearing last Thursday included business subjects, computing, food and health sciences and sport but the spaces are going very fast.”
Institutions have reported increases of up to 41% in applications and most Scottish universities are now full, with no places for prospective students who have fallen short on exam grades.
According to figures released by administrative body Universities Scotland, there are still vacancies on more than 300 courses and budding students are being encouraged to check the Ucas website (www.ucas.ac.uk) for more information.