NERVOUS students awaiting their A-level results this morning (Thursday) may avoid missing out on university places, due to the fact they live on the Isle of Man.

It has been widely reported that thousands of students could miss out on going to university, because of a severe lack of available places.

The Independent even went as far as to publish an article with the headline -Who would want to be 18 today?

Nearly 400 students from the Island's five secondary schools will recieve A-level results today.

Paul Craine, co-ordinating adviser for 11-19 education on the Island, is hopeful that these students will not be affected, as they fall into different quotas than those in the UK.

Universities can only take a certain number of students per course and by law they must not exceed this as they will be fined more than £3,000 per student.

Mr Craine said: "Isle of Man students are not classed as from the UK so they are outside these quotas.

"When the Department of Education and Children pays the tuition fees for our students we pay a higher level.

"Universities can take Manx students without going over the set quotas so maybe our students have a better chance of accessing places than those in the UK."

The increased demand for places has been put down to lack of other opportunities.

Mr Craine said: "The explanation that’s been given for the extra 60,000 applications in the UK is being attributed to the fact that there are fewer opportunities in work.

"Many people are saying it’s difficult to get work so they choose to increase their qualifications by going to university."

Also see: Support available for A-Level students