The number of UK school leavers accepted on to degree courses has risen to a record high this year, Ucas figures revealed today.A total of 262,820 British 18-year-olds have gained a place at university or college – up 3 per cent from last year, according to the university admissions service.Ucas said it is the highest number of placed students on results day on record, driven by a rising number of 18-year-olds in the population.The number of UK school leavers from the most disadvantaged backgrounds gaining a place is also up across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.The overall number of students, of all ages and domiciles, being accepted has also hit a record high – with 446,690 successful, up from 439,180 last year.For international students, 53,740 applicants have been accepted on to undergraduate courses – up by 2 per cent on the 52,640 last year. Accepted applicants from China rose to 13,870 from 12,380 last year.And a record number of young people have secured a place to study engineering, 14 per cent more than last year.It comes as pupils are set to experience the best A-level results day to date, with record-breaking top grades predicted.As hundreds of thousands of sixth-formers pick up their results today, almost one in three entries will get at least an A grade. Experts are predicting 'several thousand' more will receive this grade compared with last year.Twin sisters Natasha (right) and Olivia Reda celebrate A-level results at Solihull School todayNatasha Reda becomes emotional as she reads her A-level results at Solihull School today