THE number of students who already know they have a place at the University of Worcester has risen by a third.

A week before thousands of students get their A-level results, the university has announced a 30 per cent rise in applicants who have already achieved entry grades and accepted unconditional offers.

The dramatic jump has been attributed to a large increase in students securing their places through BTEC qualifications, the results of which were published in early July.

The university has already made a record-breaking 1,263 firm offers to full-time applicants which have been accepted.

This represents more than one third of the university’s target places for the 2013 academic year and is a 30.75 per cent increase compared to the same time last year.

A change in government policy allowing unlimited admission of students who earn two distinctions and a merit or better at BTEC – equivalent of an A and two Bs at A-level – has created an extra 250 places at the university.

More than 250 of the BTEC qualified students accepting a place at Worcester have earned these grades.

Vice chancellor and chief executive, Professor David Green, said: “We are delighted that we have already been able to make such a significant number of firm, unconditional offers which have then been accepted by students at such an early stage.

“It is now clear that the great majority of talented, well-qualified young people across the country realise that earning a university qualification is the best way forward for their future.

“In Worcester’s case, our record number of applications reflects the excellent employment rates for our graduates – with 19 out of 20 in work or further study within six months of graduation. Prospective students are well aware of the value of high quality, well-taught voc-ationally-focused courses off-ered in partnership with bus-inesses, social enterprises, educational, health, charitable and other high achieving organisations.”

Worcester saw applications rise faster than any other university in the country from 2004 to 2011, but last year both applications and admissions fell, mirroring a national trend.

This year, total applications have risen to record levels with a five per cent increase on 2011 when fees tripled for most courses in England.

The university is already operating clearing for students with BTEC qualifications and is running an advice hotline – 01905 855111 – from 9am on Thursday.