University of Bolton places available to high achievers

The University of Bolton has seen a large increase in applications in 2010

The University of Bolton is bucking the trend of higher education by making more places available for exceptional A Level students.

This summer has seen numerous high achieving school leavers being left without offers for university places.

However, Bolton are offering 50 places to students who hold three A grades.

Vice-Chancellor Dr George Holmes said high achievers "should have the opportunity to pursue a university career."

Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday 8 August, the Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said that while there would be more University places than ever before , as more people applied, not all will be able to go to the institutions of their choice.

He added that there "are young people who, sadly, are not going to get a place, including some young people who really have got good A Level grades."

It is in all our interests that such academic potential should be nurtured through higher education Dr George Holmes

The University of Bolton has responded directly to that by freeing up extra places at their institution.

Up to 50 students who have not previously applied to the University and who have three A grades at A level or equivalent will be guaranteed a place in Bolton if they apply by Saturday 21 August.

Dr Holmes said that "students achieving three 'A' grade A-levels should have the opportunity to pursue a university career."

Adding: "It is in all our interests that such academic potential should be nurtured through higher education.

"At Bolton, we demonstrate this by awarding excellence scholarships to this type of student."

As with the rest of higher education, Bolton has seen demand for places from UK and EU students increase this year by over 20 percent, a figure nine percent higher than the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service's national average.

That figure is dwarfed by the applications from overseas candidates, which have seen an increase of over 100 per cent this year.

Dr Holmes said that the University was doing its best to meet the demand and were guaranteeing a place to anyone who had either a firm offer or an insurance offer from the institution.

He said that the University was "committed to supporting all our students, full and part time, to do great things as they develop their academic and professional futures; and we look forward to welcoming new students in September."