The prince will study art history

University officials have been amazed at the interest they have received from prospective students.

Stephen Magee, the university's director of admissions, said: "We are full. The heightened profile we have received over the past few months has meant we received an exceptionally high number of good quality applications and will not have to participate in the clearing process.

"Every year for the last 20 or so we have had to use clearing to fill courses which are less in demand than others.

"But this year we have filled all our places across the board."

The clearing process in Scotland began after the exam results were sent out to students last Tuesday.

Applications to the university have increased by 44%

It is designed to help students who may have missed out on their preferred course or who may have changed their career plans over the summer.

It also features courses which traditionally have difficulty attracting students.

Last year about 6% of the 1,300 first-year places at St Andrews were filled through clearing.

The intake figures are the latest example of the so-called Prince William effect, which has resulted in a 44% increase in applications to the university since it emerged the prince would be studying in Scotland.