University offers could come after results day
Students could receive their university offers after getting their A-level results in an overhaul of the admissions system. The Education Secretary will propose a number of options for reform including a “post-qualifications applications” model, in which students apply with their actual grades, and a “post-qualifications offer” approach, in which they apply before receiving their A-level grades, as is the case now, but offers are not handed out until after results day.
STUDENTS could receive university offers after getting their A-level results in an overhaul of the admissions system, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.
Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, will propose a number of options for reform including a “postqualifications applications” model, which would potentially involve moving A-levels to earlier in the year and delaying the start of the university year.
Another option would be the “postqualifications offer” approach, in which students apply to university prior to receiving their A-level grades, as is the case now, but offers are not handed out until after results day.
The Government’s announcement comes after vice-chancellors and Ucas, the university admissions service, signalled they would be prepared to back fundamental changes to the system.
Officials at the Department for Education believe that moving to a postqualifications application model would benefit disadvantaged students and those from black and minority ethnic groups, as research shows they tend to receive lower predicted A-level grades than they go on to achieve.
Moving to a post-qualifications application model would also solve the issue of unreliable predicted grades.
“The narrative is: how do we create a system that is more geared to empowering the students?” a source said.
“If you are interested in market-led policies, the student is the customer and they are much more empowered if they have got their grades.”
The source explained that there were two main options that will be put to consultation. “There is the full-blown post-qualifications admissions where you apply to university with your actual grades,” they said. “You would have to move A-levels earlier and start university later. It is more disruptive and the universities will be conservative on it.
“The second option is a halfway house. The universities would only make offers once you have the grades. This is less disruptive, but does not really empower students.”
Universities UK, which represents vice- chancellors, said it favours the “post-qualifications offer” model, arguing it represents a “fair and workable” solution. In a report, it acknowledges it is “not as radical” as moving the entire application process to after results day, but says it will create less “disruption”.
Ucas previously attempted to instigate a move to a post-qualification system but dropped the idea in 2012.
Chris Millward of the Office for Students, which launched its own review into university admissions earlier this year, said: “There is widespread recognition that aspects of the current system are not working.”