Optometry places filled

The UK's eight optometry schools whittled down more than 5,000 degree applications to around 610 undergraduate places following yet another record-breaking year for A-level results.

Amid concerns the exams are getting easier 24.1 per cent of all entries received an A grade most admissions tutors said the experience was similar to last year.

Some reported a big drop in applications with Anglia Ruskin University and Aston's applications falling by around 33 and 19 per cent respectively.

Most schools asked for two As and a B (AAB) or ABB, including two science subjects, to fill the same number of places as last year. Only Glasgow Caledonian University changed the size of its intake, increasing the first year from 50 to 60 students.