Results day data shows drop in students accepted onto UK degree courses

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Fewer students have been accepted on to UK degree courses this year, initial figures show.

Ucas data shows that 411,860 have taken up places so far, down 1% on the same point last year.

It also shows that 353,960 UK students have been accepted on to courses, down 2%.

The drops come in the wake of a decrease in applications to start degrees at UK universities this autumn, fuelled by factors including a fall in the UK's 18-year-old population.

More than half a million students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving A-level results today.

Last year, 26.3% of A-levels scored an A or A*