As teenagers weigh up their A level results and attempt to secure university places, universities are starting to use Twitter to recruit prospective applicants and engage the student body.

It is estimated that half the universities in the UK are on Twitter but many have only just started. Even before students arrive this autumn, universities are encouraging them to follow the institution’s Twitter feed. Some will announce the few places they have in clearing with up-to-the-minute numbers on the site. Thames Valley University has a Clearing Guru on Twitter to help students to navigate the process.

Ucas, the admissions service, also tweets and will be offering students advice. Meanwhile, lecturers at Sheffield Hallam use Twitter to gather student opinion on lecture halls and study areas.