00:00In the Northeast, around 30% of 18-year-olds entered university last year through UCAS.
00:08Students this autumn will pay tuition fees of £9,535, while maintenance loans have also increased to help with living costs.
00:17Universities are making more advanced offers to UK applicants, which experts say could mean fewer courses are listed in clearing this year.
00:25In Newcastle and the wider region, institutions such as Newcastle and Northumbria remain keen to enrol students even if they fall slightly short of predicted grades.
00:34Admissions specialists say flexibility is high, as universities respond to uncertainty in international student numbers.
00:41Across the UK, thousands of courses are open, but clearing places may be taken quickly.
00:46Careers advisors encourage students to explore all their options, from foundation courses to apprenticeships,
00:52and to seek advice from official sources to make decisions with confidence and accurate information.
