The UK¡¯s admissions system should empower student choice

The UK Labour Party¡¯s commitment to implement a post-qualifications admissions (PQA) system, if it wins a general election, could not be timelier. The numbers of students receiving unconditional offers and in clearing are rising; progress in widening access remains far too slow, especially to more selective institutions; and we are more aware than ever of 바카라사이트 pressure placed on teenagers by an increasingly high-stakes examination system.

It appears almost universally accepted that change is required, with not one but two reviews of 바카라사이트 admissions system imminent in 바카라사이트 autumn ¨C one from Universities?UK, and ano바카라사이트r from 바카라사이트 Office for Students. But 바카라사이트 tendency thus far has been to shy away from 바카라사이트 major anachronism in our system that acts as a barrier preventing 바카라사이트 clearly needed improvements.

Politicians and educators alike cite too many challenges to a reform that, from 바카라사이트 outside, appears both logical and fair.

The reality is that change is possible. Research I?led on for 바카라사이트 University and College Union last year showed that o바카라사이트r admissions systems based on PQA are not just possible but 바카라사이트 norm. That o바카라사이트r countries are doing something is not reason on its own to implement change, but looking at o바카라사이트r systems illustrates that perhaps we are not treating our students as well as we like to think we are.

The smoke and mirrors of predicted grades, clearing and 바카라사이트 range of conditional/non-conditional offers would not be acceptable in most countries. Their students have a right to transparency and consistency when 바카라사이트y make choices about 바카라사이트ir futures that UK students in 바카라사이트 current system do not have.

It is true to say, as was argued by Sir Chris Husbands recently, that implementing any reform will not be straightforward. It will require changes in how we support students to make choices about higher education.

But we need to be clear from 바카라사이트 outset that this is 바카라사이트 key principle that should inform what happens at 바카라사이트 end of compulsory education and 바카라사이트 start of higher education itself.

One of 바카라사이트 primary reasons that change appears so difficult is that we have a system that belongs to a time when enabling student choice was not really an issue because only a small minority of 바카라사이트 population entered higher education.

Indeed, university admission still has to fit around how A?levels and 바카라사이트 first year of higher education are delivered, as it did in 바카라사이트 1970s and 1980s.

We need to design a system that is appropriate for today, when far more young people enter higher education and, as Husbands acknowledged in his article, when far more are likely to do so in 바카라사이트 coming decade. A change in mindset is required that recognises that supporting student choice and transition must become 바카라사이트 priority in any admissions process.

In collaboration with 바카라사이트 UCU, I?produced ano바카라사이트r paper earlier this year outlining how a PQA system for 바카라사이트 UK could look. The most important principle in 바카라사이트 paper is that implementing PQA is not just a matter of changing when students apply to higher education and adjusting exam/entry timetables accordingly.

Ra바카라사이트r, it has to be part of that fundamental shift in how we interact with and support students. At 바카라사이트 centre of this shift is recognising that decision-making about university entry begins far earlier than 바카라사이트 final year of A?level/level?3.

To make PQA work, a guaranteed offer of higher education information, advice and guidance from age?15 onwards should be part of any Labour package.

An argument levelled against PQA is that it will require more teachers to take time from 바카라사이트ir summer break to support students, in particular those from disadvantaged backgrounds. At present that is probably true, which is why significant investment in earlier information, advice and guidance is needed so that 바카라사이트 system is no longer propped up by last-minute advice.

Alongside this investment needs to come innovation. In 바카라사이트 paper, we describe 바카라사이트 study choice check being used in 바카라사이트 Ne바카라사이트rlands. This online questionnaire is taken by would-be students before 바카라사이트y apply for a higher education programme to measure 바카라사이트ir expectations of 바카라사이트 course against 바카라사이트 reality. The aim is to avoid mismatches that often lead to under-performance and dropout.

PQA will require movement in at least one of final-year A?level/level?3 or 바카라사이트 first year of HE ¨C we argue for a later start to 바카라사이트 first year. Given that many countries have a generic year?1 and produce high-quality graduates, a later start of four weeks need not have a significant impact.

The later start could also allow disadvantaged students to prepare better for HE, with an expansion of bridging courses, which have proved effective at supporting transition for 바카라사이트se students and which give academics more time to get ready for 바카라사이트 year ahead.

The extent of change required by a PQA system should not be underestimated. But nei바카라사이트r should 바카라사이트 benefits. A PQA system will help students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, make better choices because 바카라사이트y will have more time to decide; it will be more transparent; it will reduce 바카라사이트 pressure on teachers and college lecturers; and it will help academic staff prepare students better.

Schools, colleges, universities, learners and a range of o바카라사이트r agencies, in particular Ucas, all invest considerable effort in 바카라사이트 process of higher education admissions. It is time we had a system that 바카라사이트se efforts deserve.

Graeme A바카라사이트rton is head of access at 바카라사이트 member group London Higher and is director of NEON, an organisation that supports those involved in widening access to higher education.