The hotline – 0800 358 7474 – is staffed by senior University Centre staff, tutors, experts and student ambassadors and all are on hand to process applications and answer queries from potential students.

Popular degrees are expected to fill up fast but places at the centre, based on Doncaster College's High Melton campus, are still available on a wide range of courses including HND Computing, BA (Hons) degrees in Law and Criminology and Creative Music Technology and a foundation degree in Sport.

With competition for places higher than ever this year, hotline staff are reporting that phone lines are busy but waiting times are short and with the hotline open all weekend, all potential students should be able to get through to discuss their needs.

It was reported earlier this year that the demand for places was already higher than the number of students the Centre was allowed to take, however the University Centre was delighted to be recently allocated additional student places by the Government.

Students who do not have the qualifications required for direct entry to degree programmes can also join Access to Higher Education rather than going back to school.

Students coming through Clearing may also benefit from bursaries worth up to £2,400 over three years.

Clearing Manager Peter Hymans said: "A wide range of people are calling from all around the country. We're also getting a large number who exceeded their expectations at A Level and have realised that university level study could be for them. We are also getting applicants that have changed their mind about the course they wish to study, choosing to stay at home to get their degree."

For a full list of degrees on offer at the University Centre, call the hotline on 0800 358 7474 or visit www.don.ac.uk