TENS of thousands of last-minute degree places could be available tomorrow, as universities scramble to attract students still searching for a course.

As of this morning, the day before clearing opens, there were more than 27,000 courses listed on the UCAS clearing website, according to a Press Association survey.

The figures come the day before sixth-formers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland receive their A-level grades and learn if they have achieved the results they need to secure their university places.

This year, there has been a drop in applications to start degree courses at UK universities this autumn, fuelled by factors including a fall in the 18 and 19-year-old population and changes to funding for nursing degrees.

The fall, coupled with reforms which mean universities are no longer restricted by a cap on student numbers, means many institutions which still want to fill places are entering clearing in a bid to attract and recruit qualified candidates.

Clearing is the annual process that matches students without places, for example those that did not meet their required grades, with available courses.

The survey, based on 148 UK universities and colleges, shows that around nine in 10 institutions (132) are advertising at least one course on the UCAS clearing website.

In total, there are more 27,715 courses listed that potentially have availability.

Among the 24 Russell Group institutions alone, those universities considered among the best in the country, two thirds (16) had at least one course listed on the UCAS site, with 4,820 courses potentially having places on offer.

Last year, almost 65,000 applicants found places through clearing, while almost 900 were placed through "adjustment", a scheme that allows applicants that do better than expected in their A-levels to trade up to another course or institution.

Apprenticeships also offer an alternative choice to university, with around 23,000 apprenticeship opportunities listed on Find An Apprenticeship every month.

Young people searching for an apprenticeship can visit www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship.

UCAS is hosting an exam results helpline 0808 100 8000 which will be available from August 17, the day A Level results are issued and closes on August 31, following the GCSE results on August 24.