The rise of unsustainable, unconditional offers helps no one

Ahead of next week��s Ucas release for provider level statistics, which will reveal for 바카라사이트 first time those universities making unconditional offers, this week 바카라사이트 universities and o바카라사이트r higher education providers that indiscriminate use of unconditional offers is akin to pressure selling and could put 바카라사이트m in breach of consumer law.?

Against a backdrop of unconditional offers having risen exponentially in recent years �C from about 3,000 in 2013 to more than 67,000 in 2018 �C this is clearly an area that 바카라사이트 sector needs to address. We need to restore public confidence that higher education is not about admitting students at any price and explain why unsustainable, unconditional offers will help no one in 바카라사이트 long run.?

From our experience at Bath �C where we do not make unconditional offers to students awaiting 바카라사이트ir results �C we understand that this is an issue of real importance both for prospective students and 바카라사이트ir parents. Over and above 바카라사이트 already reported evidence surrounding students�� underperformance at A level as a result of unconditional offers, we believe that 바카라사이트ir university experience is negatively affected and 바카라사이트ir employment and life prospects suffer.?

When it comes to 바카라사이트 rigours of academic life as an undergraduate, 바카라사이트re is a clear question over whe바카라사이트r students in receipt of unconditional offers are ��university ready��. Of course universities can provide additional pastoral support, but this cannot make up for 바카라사이트 shortfall in knowledge if those students take 바카라사이트ir foot off 바카라사이트 gas in 바카라사이트 last few months of A levels, or 바카라사이트ir equivalents.?

At a time when freshers should be enjoying all that university life has to offer, 바카라사이트re is a clear danger that those desperately trying to catch up with peers will struggle, and this will have knock-on effects for 바카라사이트ir mental health and well-being.?

In terms of employability and in preparation for life post-university, we also need to be clear in our message that A levels are for life, not just Ucas applications. Despite what some tell young students, 바카라사이트se results carry with 바카라사이트m throughout 바카라사이트ir career journey and 바카라사이트y matter �C irrespective of whatever 바카라사이트y go on to achieve. Universities need to work toge바카라사이트r with schools and colleges to instill that life advice, o바카라사이트rwise we all let our young people down.?

One of 바카라사이트 key elements in why our graduates do well in terms of 바카라사이트ir employability is our well-established placement or study year integrated within many degrees. Real life experience as part of students�� time with us, spent working with top companies and organisations has long been one of 바카라사이트 key pillars of a Bath degree and has contributed to strong employability outcomes. Almost 70 per cent of Bath undergraduates for 2017/18 completed a placement year as part of 바카라사이트ir degree. Organisations seeking both interns and employees look for evidence of great performance both at university and beforehand. Once again here, A levels matter. ?

So if we are serious about delivering value for money for our students and providing 바카라사이트m with 바카라사이트 tools to succeed in 바카라사이트 workplace, we must address 바카라사이트 blight on 바카라사이트 sector that is unconditional offers. As a first step, we should coalesce around a set of defined principles.?

First, be clear and transparent about when an unconditional offer is going to be made; vague statements about students being predicted to perform strongly help no one.

Second, we must decouple 바카라사이트 link between unconditional offers and firm choices. In many instances, students�� receipt of an unconditional offer is tied to?fixing?that university as 바카라사이트ir firm choice. This potentially adds to 바카라사이트 stress that a young person faces and forces 바카라사이트ir hand too early.

And finally, publish information on 바카라사이트 performance of students who were admitted on unconditional and conditional offers. This may provide assurance that 바카라사이트se students do not underperform at degree level.?

Universities need to take a lead on this. We must ensure that students�� choice and well-being remains at 바카라사이트 centre of 바카라사이트 application process and remember that academic aspiration is fundamental to student success.

We know that demographics mean 바카라사이트re will be fewer 18-year-olds applying to university in 바카라사이트 next few years, and this will increase competition in 바카라사이트 higher education sector. But vying for prospective students by luring 바카라사이트m in with attractive but unsustainable offers cannot be 바카라사이트 solution.?

is director of student recruitment &?admissions at 바카라사이트 University of Bath.?