Kenneth, I think that the UK market maybe very different to the US one. I say this because I had an American lady work for me for a while and she said that graduations at UK universities were very different to hers (Boston, Massachusetts).
Anyhow.....back to the question. Over here people have to tender to each individual university/college for the work. It is usually the company who offers the highest commission cheque to the university who gets the work, which is usually then a 3 or 5 year contract. That is why it is so hard to break into the market. The universities never give any feedback to the unsuccesful bidders.
Because the event market here is not as well established as in the States, most customers have not realised that it is possible for photographers to offer them same day prints. About a 4 week wait is the norm here!!! All the major players here do use monitors to show the graduate a choice of images so they can choose which is printed but thats as hi-tech as we get. There are advantages to this way though - for instance less staff needed on site, less space required, less stuff to take so a smaller vehicle needed etc etc.
I would suggest finding out from the universities you are targetting when their appointed photographers contract expires and try to pitch then. If you get a job let me know as I'd love to come to the States :-)
Gary
www.ballphotographers.com 
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