Samson Wong Wai-yip began his search for a university place early yesterday, but went home empty-handed.

'I've only tried the City University and the Baptist University, because they take students with poor A-level results,' said the 20-year-old. 'But all department offices were closed. There were only memos stuck on doors, telling students without offers to wait for the second round.' He has changed several course preferences after failing A-level chemistry, but still had no offers.

Lee Hoi-lai, 19, scored an F in biology and has had no offers. 'I have tried eight departments in the last two hours. I'm sure I can't go to university. I have to go back to my summer job tomorrow. And I prefer working to searching for nothing.' Both hope to do Higher Diploma courses at technical institutes.