University admissions to skip statements
Personal statements could be scrapped in an overhaul of the admissions process at universities, which may lead to students applying after receiving their A-level grades. The shake-up by the Office for Students would mean candidates no longer have to put in writing why they have the necessary skills and experience for what they want to study. It is intended to help applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds who receive less help in writing personal statements.
PERSONAL statements could be scrapped as the university watchdog announces an overhaul of the admissions process which may lead to students applying after receiving their A-level grades.
The major shake-up by the Office for Students (OFS) would mean candidates no longer have to submit the written account explaining why they have the necessary skills and experience for the course they want to study.
Applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds receive less help in writing their personal statements and aren’t able to give as many examples of relevant work experience, which is used to differentiate between successful and unsuccessful candidates, according to research by the Sutton Trust, the education charity.
As part of its review into higher education admissions, which launches today, the OFS is also considering amending the process so students only complete their applications to their desired universities after they have collected their A-level results.
The watchdog is calling on experts to give their views on issues including predicted grades, personal statements and unconditional offers as part of a consultation which closes on May 21. Their aim is to “generate debate and discussion about ways in which the admissions system could be made fairer, and help ensure that students from all backgrounds are able to get the most from their studies”.
It comes as the Higher Education Policy Institute called for the lifting of barriers to attainment by bringing in a “first in family allowance” – allowing students whose parents didn’t go to university to complete their first year without paying tuition fees.
Sir Michael Barber, chairman of the OFS, said: “There is widespread recognition that certain aspects of the current admissions system are not working, and may be especially unfair on students from disadvantaged backgrounds. A review of admissions is also being carried out by Universities UK, and UCAS is exploring reforms to the admissions process. We will look to work closely with them – and everyone with an interest in the system – as we look forensically at changes that can shape our admissions system in a way which is matched to the needs, achievements and potential of students from all backgrounds.”
Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union, said: “There is growing support for a shift to a fairer admissions system, where students apply to university after they have received their results.
“This review is the opportunity for us to finally move to a system where university offers are based on actual achievement rather than unreliable estimates of potential.”
Michelle Donelan, the universities minister, added: “It is clear some practices, such as conditional unconditional offers, can limit the opportunities and outcomes for some students and changes are needed. The Ofs’s Admissions Review will be instrumental in helping assess how the system can be improved.”