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University applications 'should come after results' | University applications 'should come after results' |
(35 minutes later) | |
The university admissions system should be switched so applications are made after students know their exam results, says a university vice-chancellor. | The university admissions system should be switched so applications are made after students know their exam results, says a university vice-chancellor. |
Bill Rammell, a former higher education minister, says it would be fairer and more efficient than predicting grades. | |
He says there is already a growing trend for students to apply for the first time during clearing. | He says there is already a growing trend for students to apply for the first time during clearing. |
But Universities UK has rejected suggestions there will be any "chaotic scramble" for places this year. | But Universities UK has rejected suggestions there will be any "chaotic scramble" for places this year. |
A-level results in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are to be published on Thursday, with a record 655,000 applicants waiting to find out about university places. | A-level results in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are to be published on Thursday, with a record 655,000 applicants waiting to find out about university places. |
Late applications | Late applications |
Mr Rammell, vice-chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire, says there should be a longer-term aim to move to a system of applying after students know their results - so-called "post-qualification application" - rather than the current system of relying on predicted grades to receive conditional offers. | |
"If you started afresh you wouldn't have this elaborate system of predicted grades," he said. | "If you started afresh you wouldn't have this elaborate system of predicted grades," he said. |
But in the shorter term Mr Rammell says there are growing pressures from students which are already pushing the system towards post-qualifications applications. | But in the shorter term Mr Rammell says there are growing pressures from students which are already pushing the system towards post-qualifications applications. |
He says that at his university he has already seen a growing number of students applying for the first time during clearing once they know their A-level results, rather than by the initial mid-January deadline. | He says that at his university he has already seen a growing number of students applying for the first time during clearing once they know their A-level results, rather than by the initial mid-January deadline. |
Students are able to begin applications during clearing, which also provides a back-up system for those who missed out on their required grades. | Students are able to begin applications during clearing, which also provides a back-up system for those who missed out on their required grades. |
Research from the admissions system, Ucas, has shown that about half of A-level grades predicted by teachers are incorrect. | Research from the admissions system, Ucas, has shown that about half of A-level grades predicted by teachers are incorrect. |
Although a formal switch to a post-results system might not be imminent, he says the pressure of students who are applying late will "effectively push it in that direction". | Although a formal switch to a post-results system might not be imminent, he says the pressure of students who are applying late will "effectively push it in that direction". |
As a higher-education minister under the Labour administration, Mr Rammell said he had been a "strong advocate" of the admissions system being moved. | As a higher-education minister under the Labour administration, Mr Rammell said he had been a "strong advocate" of the admissions system being moved. |
If students knew their grades when applying it would be simpler, he says, and he believes the current system based on predictions is more likely to work against poorer students. | If students knew their grades when applying it would be simpler, he says, and he believes the current system based on predictions is more likely to work against poorer students. |
'Stronger position' | 'Stronger position' |
Mr Rammell says there had been "conservative forces" opposed to such a change, which could mean alterations to the timing of the exam system or the start of the autumn university term. | Mr Rammell says there had been "conservative forces" opposed to such a change, which could mean alterations to the timing of the exam system or the start of the autumn university term. |
He says the major change in admissions in recent years has been that students, with their tuition fee, have a much stronger position in looking for places. | He says the major change in admissions in recent years has been that students, with their tuition fee, have a much stronger position in looking for places. |
In the past, he says universities were choosing students, now it was much more a case of students choosing where they would like to study. | In the past, he says universities were choosing students, now it was much more a case of students choosing where they would like to study. |
But he warns against the use of "retail gimmicks" to attract students and argues that recruitment should be based on offering a better student experience. | But he warns against the use of "retail gimmicks" to attract students and argues that recruitment should be based on offering a better student experience. |
Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, says universities are ready to handle record numbers of applications this week, with the limit on places removed this year. | Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, says universities are ready to handle record numbers of applications this week, with the limit on places removed this year. |
"Despite the annual predictions that there will be a chaotic scramble for places, universities are, as always, prepared for the busy undergraduate admissions period," said Ms Dandridge. | "Despite the annual predictions that there will be a chaotic scramble for places, universities are, as always, prepared for the busy undergraduate admissions period," said Ms Dandridge. |
And she said it was important that the clearing process, used by 61,000 students last year, should not be seen as a "second-best option". | And she said it was important that the clearing process, used by 61,000 students last year, should not be seen as a "second-best option". |