University places squeeze ‘could hold back generation’

A GENERATION could be held back by a squeeze on university places unless the Education Secretary intervenes, Labour has warned.

This summer is expected to see the toughest competition in decades to secure a place because of a record number of applicants and pressure on places following an increase in admissions during the pandemic.

“It would be wholly unfair for this year’s students to miss out because the Government failed to put in place an effective system over the last two years,” Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, said in a letter seen by The Sunday Telegraph.

Ms Phillipson said that universities are “understandably concerned another large cohort of students will stretch their capacity to breaking point”. But she called on the Government to ensure that universities start collaborating now to address capacity issues across the system and confirm that all schools and exam boards are equipped to swiftly process appeals.

“I hope you will set out an expectation that students who meet the conditions of an offer on appeal should be accepted to start their courses as planned,” she wrote.

Lee Elliot Major, a professor at Exeter University, warned last month that an unprecedented number of students with high grades could miss out on their first choice in “the most highly competitive race” for university places in living memory.

The class of 2022, who did not take their GCSEs due to Covid, face huge uncertainty about their A-Level results, with fewer top grades expected. Ofqual, the exam watchdog, has announced plans to bring down the grade inflation seen during the pan

‘It would be unfair for students to miss out because the Government failed to have an effective system’

demic. Clare Marchant, chief executive of UCAS, said this week that the university admissions service believes “record numbers of students will get their firm choice this year on results day”.

“There will be plenty of choice available to students who are unplaced or use clearing as an opportunity to rethink their plans,” she added.

Andrea Jenkyns, the higher education minister, said: “Any suggestions over lack of places is scaremongering and putting unnecessary stress on students at an already stressful time.”

She added: “Competition for places at top universities has always been high… but there will always be lots of options for students.”