This article is more than 1 year old

Exam results texted out early in Scotland

Early access to pub Ucas for those using txt spk

Almost 30,000 Scottish students got their Higher results this afternoon, instead of tomorrow morning as it should have been, potentially giving them early access to the university clearing system.

The results were sent out – by accident – to anyone who had selected text-only notification, but have been confirmed as accurate by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. The BBC reports that the university clearing system, Ucas, launches at midnight tonight, providing a window of opportunity for those how got early access to their results.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority reckons it won't make any difference, as applications for clearing places won't open until 9'o clock tomorrow morning, but from midnight students will be able to search the system to see what's available.

Universities around the country are oversubscribed this year, so students will be scrabbling for places. In Scotland, the local news is reporting that anyone hoping to study in a city is out of luck, but the more rural* locations still have some places remaining.

We don't know who was responsible for the early sending of the results, which were scheduled to go out tomorrow around 8am. SQA says it is "making enquiries with our external contractor, who issues the results on our behalf, in order to understand how this could have happened".

We're imagining fairly short enquiries, followed by equally short and sharp remedial action. ®

* Inverness is rural, more people attend WOMAD than live in the "city".

More about

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like