The universities in the United Kingdom are urging foreign students to get ahead of their UK counterparts in securing the best places in popular courses, Daily Mail reported.

The admission staff of several universities advised the foreign students to get ahead of the crowd by securing clearing places before UK pupils receive their A-level results.

In a bid to attract overseas students, Newcastle University urged them to call as soon as possible to get places at the varsity as they have cleared their examinations and have an advantage over the British School leavers.

The seats will likely be filled after UK students get their A-Level results tomorrow.

The University of Brighton also told the foreign students that they ‘likely have the benefit’ of receiving results ‘before students in the UK’.

The University of Portsmouth also urges international candidates to apply early as they will need to leave time to get their visas.

British universities also have been accused of shunning British students in favour of foreign students who pay higher fees.

Nick Hillman, of the Higher Education Commission Policy Institute, a think tank, said: “There is one principle above all that should always govern university entry and that is fairness. When people feel the rules are being applied unfairly, there can be a big reputational risk.”

“International students are keeping our universities going financially and are always very welcome here, but UK students must be treated fairly.”

Daily Mail claimed that Newcastle University deleted the word ‘advantage’ in its blog after being confronted by Mail.

It read: “UK students don’t get their results until August, so you will have an advantage if you get your grades before then.”

It further reported that some leading universities were offering places on more courses to overseas applicants than British students, after reportedly analysing the website of University College and Admission Service.

It went on to add that the University of Liverpool advertised 535 courses for foreign students but none for British pupils. And the University of Leeds announced 181 courses for overseas compared to 13 of Britain’s students.

Following the frozen raise in local students, which capped at £9,250, the universities were looking forward to international students.

“All students, wherever they are from, are considered on their academic merits – time of application has no bearing on this decision,” a Newcastle University spokesman said.

University of Liverpool spokesperson said clearing places for overseas students are available ‘over a different timescale’ to reflect education systems around the world.

A University of Brighton spokesman said: “Each applicant is considered on their individual merit.”

The University of Portsmouth was contacted for comment.