30th January 2019 9:00
By Blue Tutors
The Lecturers’ Union thinks that Students should only be given a university place once they have received their A Level results. Reported on the BBC, the idea would be to end unconditional offers and eliminate the clearing system described as “chaotic”. UCAS responded to say that the proposals “appeal” but that it would be difficult to change the existing system.
Currently UK students apply for university places more than 6 months before their exams and receive offers based on GCSE results, predicted results and possibly interview performance. Last year nearly 25% of students received an unconditional offer for a university place, compared to 1% in 2013. These unconditional offers are considered to be a way for universities to make themselves more appealing and increase their undergraduate intake.
It’s suggested that if we were to delay the start date to November for first year university students then this would give students more time to prepare, and the extra time would mean no need for clearing or for unconditional offers. However, chief executive of UCAS, Clare Marchant, said that a consultation from 2012 suggested that this wouldn’t help because students need to support of their schools to make university choices, and schools are closed in August when A Level results are released. In addition, universities who recruit students based on factors other than results (interviews and contextual information) need longer than a month or two to ensure they accept the right students.