Almost 160,000 people missed out on a place at university this year, despite record admissions numbers. Almost 500,000 students were given places this academic year (2009-2010), though record levels of competition and a cap on student numbers led to just under 1 in 5 applicants not receiving places.

Despite the government’s cap on student numbers for the 2009-2010 academic year, more than 12,000 extra students were given places at universities nationwide, leading to fears that universities could be facing a multi-million pound shortfall.

The cap on student numbers face fierce opposition after UCAS released figures that showed a ten percent rise in the number of people submitting applications to university, but only a 5.5% rise in the number of students with successful applications.

The number of applications is expected to rise again this year for the 2010-2011 academic year, with an even bigger proportion not expected to get places with expected government cuts to the sector reaching £950m.

The number of accepted applicants has risen by 44% since 1999, when 334,594 students went to university.