Student accommodation options for Manchester University, MMU and Salford

Students across the country have received their A level results this morning (Thursday August 18). For most, it will determine which university they get into - and where they live for the next stage of their lives.

It's the first time in two years that students have sat official exams for their A levels, after education was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. The Education Secretary has said that the “majority” of students will get their first choice university place, and are not being crowded out by a deferred cohort.

Asked by BBC Breakfast if deferred applications would lead to more competition for university places, James Cleverly said: “We should remember that there has been an increase in the number of courses, and as you say the number of 18-year-olds has been increasing, but so has the number of university courses.

Read more:Nando's is giving away free chicken for A level students on results day

“Predominantly of course, students are competing with the other people that took exams this year. The number of deferments as a percentage of the overall applications is very low, something around 6.5% from memory. So the vast majority of places will be for students who have sat exams this year.”

Mr Cleverly said there had been a “tighter set of results than last year” with the return of exams, but added: “We have got to remember that the majority of students will probably be getting into their first choice institution, that is incredibly good news.”

Greater Manchester is home to five universities and will see an influx of students eager to begin their university careers in September. Below, the Manchester Evening News has broken down the student accommodation options available for students looking to join the