More people have applied to higher education after getting their A-level results than last year, according to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Despite tuition fees, 9,069 new applications have been recorded by UCAS since results day on August 20. This compares with 8,776 during the same period last year when late applications were at record levels in a pre-fees rush. UCAS chief Tony Higgins said the rise reflected an improvement in A-level grades and that students were not put off by fees. Total applications, however, are still 2.4 per cent below the corresponding point last year. The number securing places is also slightly down. Letters, page 17