Don’t panic – we’ll be flexible, universities tell worried students

TOP universities said they would be flexible with their places after A-level students’ results were downgraded.

After Ofqual statistics showed that those from more deprived areas were more likely to have their results downgraded by the algorithm, the Russell Group vowed not to let disadvantaged students unfairly miss out. Prof Sir Anton Muscatelli, chairman of the Russell Group and principal and vicechancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “Our message to those who missed their grades is not to panic and to contact their first-choice universities to discuss their options.

“It is a unique and unprecedented results season and our universities are being as flexible as possible with admissions. They are taking a range of factors into account to ensure no students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are unfairly affected and can benefit from the world-class higher education offered.”

The University of Leicester announced that it would take places based on mocks, sparking speculation other institutions could follow suit. Prof Nishan Canagarajah, its vicechancellor, said: “Sadly, it seems that access to university for many poorer students is being blocked again.

“We will break down barriers to education – especially for those who have fought through tough upbringings to forge their own path and create a better start for the next generation. We are paving the way by being the only university to give students the opportunity to join based on their mock A-level results as well as their published results – whichever is higher – regardless of whether they decide to appeal or to wait for appeal.”

More disadvantaged pupils than ever before accepted a place at university, according to UCAS. A record 20,280 18-year-olds from the most disadvantaged backgrounds in England have been accepted into university – up 7.3 per cent on last year’s results day.

This means 18.8 per cent of all young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds are due to start an undergraduate degree. As many as 80,000 applicants could find a place via clearing this year, up from 73,325 last year.