The system will speed up applications in the early stages by eliminating mistakes and avoiding the necessity for the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service to send back forms or spend time putting details into its own computer system to send out to institutions.

The computer-based system recognises common mistakes such as applying for non-existent courses or confusing date of birth with application date.

According to UCAS chief executive Tony Higgins, 8 per cent of applications have the wrong course details, 8 per cent the wrong date of birth, and 8 per cent contain other mistakes.

The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals is currently investigating how computer technology might be used to make the final applications process - the post A-level period - less fraught.