1 in 4 students get ‘easiest’ offer

A RECORD one in four university applicants was given an unconditional offer with ‘strings attached’ this year in a clamour to get them through the doors.

Data from admissions body UCAS shows the proportion getting such offers rose by four percentage points – despite calls for their use to be curbed.

The practice involves offering a pupil a guaranteed place regardless of A-level performance, provided the university is listed as first choice.

It removes the incentive for pupils to work hard in their exams, and has led to accusations of ‘dumbing down’. The statistics show 5.1 per cent – 64,8 5 students – received such an offer in 019, up from 0.9 per cent – 53,355 students – in 018. In 014, just 3.1 per cent of applicants received such an offer.

Geoff Barton, of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: ‘Universities have apparently responded to calls to end the use of certain types of unconditional offers by making more of them. This practice has more to do with the scramble to put “bums on seats” than the best interests of students.’

Universities are resorting to ever more desperate means because empty courses mean lower tuition fee income. Alistair Jarvis, chief executive of vicechancellors’ group Universities UK, said: ‘It is important they are used appropriately and proportionately.’

UCAS said applicants holding a firm unconditional offer are more likely to miss their predicted grades. Communications and media has the highest proportion of unconditional offers with strings, at 15.5 per cent, followed by humanities and liberal arts.

However, the figures also show that students are now less likely to accept the ‘conditional unconditional’ place if offered.