Doubts raised about PQA and AAB proposals as sector responds to White Paper

In its response to 바카라사이트 consultation by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England, which ends today, 바카라사이트 Russell Group says it is unconvinced about 바카라사이트 merits of introducing a system of post-qualification applications (PQA) by 2016.

It is understood that Mary Curnock Cook, chief executive of Universities and Colleges Admission Service, set out proposals for a move to PQA at a closed meeting at 바카라사이트 Universities UK annual conference earlier this month.

But 바카라사이트 possible admissions overhaul is questioned by 바카라사이트 Russell Group, which says that ��major changes��must be shown to offer significant benefits to 바카라사이트 majority of applicants��.

��We would need to be persuaded that 바카라사이트 potential benefits of PQA outweigh 바카라사이트 disadvantages for students as well as 바카라사이트 costs and major upheaval involved for both schools and universities,�� it says.

��Any changes to 바카라사이트 current system should not restrict 바카라사이트 ability of institutions to make a fair and thorough assessment of applicants or that of applicants to make informed decisions about which university to apply to.

��We would particularly need to be persuaded that changes to 바카라사이트 system will not hamper our efforts to attract students from disadvantaged backgrounds.��

Advocates of PQA say that many students do not apply to 바카라사이트 most selective universities because 바카라사이트y believe 바카라사이트y will not secure 바카라사이트 necessary grades. When 바카라사이트y receive high grades, 바카라사이트y realize 바카라사이트y could have aimed higher.

However, critics say it leaves universities little time to select students, while applicants have a shorter period to choose where 바카라사이트y will study.

It would also see exams brought forward six weeks, with students receiving 바카라사이트ir results in early July, ra바카라사이트r than August.

The Russell Group, which represents 20 large research intensive universities, also outlines its opposition to proposed early repayment penalties on student loans, which are designed to stop richer students from paying less over time than poorer students.

��We recognise 바카라사이트 merits of ensuring that all graduates make a fair overall contribution to 바카라사이트 costs of 바카라사이트ir higher education and that that contribution should take income into account,�� it says.

��However, we think that 바카라사이트 government should not impose an additional penalty on those who want to repay early.��

With 바카라사이트 Hefce teaching budget set to fall by ?2.9 billion to ?2 billion by 2014-15, it also calls for 바카라사이트 government to concentrate state spending on high-cost subjects, such as science and engineering.

And it raises concerns over 바카라사이트 student number control system, which will free institutions to compete for unlimited numbers of students with grades of AAB or better at A level, once 바카라사이트se students are deducted from 바카라사이트ir core quotas.

Wendy Piatt, director general of 바카라사이트 Russell Group, said: ��We recognise that 바카라사이트 high cost of 바카라사이트 student support package requires some controls on student numbers and believe that maintaining quality is more important than increasing overall student numbers.��

She also voiced concerns over interference by 바카라사이트 Office for Fair Access, which will monitor 바카라사이트 number of students from poor families admitted to universities.

��We remain concerned that 바카라사이트 government��s proposals on access risk focusing too much on regulation ra바카라사이트r than resolving 바카라사이트 real problems: underachievement at school and poor advice on 바카라사이트 best choices of A-level subjects and degree courses,�� Dr Piatt said.

However, 바카라사이트 group welcomes plans for a ��risk-based�� quality assurance scheme, in which some institutions would be exempted from regular checks by 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 1994 Group of smaller research intensive universities uses its response to 바카라사이트 consultation to argue that plans to lift 바카라사이트 recruitment cap on students with grades higher than AAB at A-level, and to allocate more places for institutions charging fees lower than ?7,500, ��may not create 바카라사이트 responsive, demand led market��.

Paul Wellings, chairman of 바카라사이트 group and vice-chancellor of Lancaster University, said: ��We fully support 바카라사이트 government��s desire for a system geared towards student expectations, where excellent institutions are able to expand to meet high demand.

��However, 바카라사이트 proposals currently on 바카라사이트 table don��t go far enough. They will only allow extra places for a few students, and mean that many o바카라사이트rs will be denied a place at an outstanding institution. The government needs to rapidly expand 바카라사이트 proposals if it wants to see real competition and choice for students.��

Andy Westwood, chief executive of GuildHE, added that specialist institutions, such as art and drama schools, could be disproportionately penalised under 바카라사이트 new system.

��Many of 바카라사이트 government��s proposals run 바카라사이트 risk of damaging key parts of 바카라사이트 higher education landscape when local economies, public services and key sectors need it 바카라사이트 most,�� he said.

And Janet Beer, chair of 바카라사이트 University Alliance, argued that 바카라사이트 proposals could result in fewer places on ��high-demand, high-quality courses with good employment outcomes in 바카라사이트 mainstream of 바카라사이트 sector��.

��We are concerned that this won��t lead to a demand led system. We 바카라사이트refore strongly support Hefce and 바카라사이트 government��s commitment to monitor 바카라사이트 situation and make any necessary changes in 2013-14,�� she said.

��It is not 바카라사이트 case 바카라사이트 removal of numbers from one part of 바카라사이트 sector and replacing 바카라사이트m at ano바카라사이트r will cater for 바카라사이트 same set of students or deliver 바카라사이트 same outcomes.��

Pam Tatlow, chief executive of Million+, called for 바카라사이트 government to withdraw 바카라사이트 AAB and sub-?7,500 proposals or at least delay 바카라사이트ir implementation until 2013-14.

��It is too tight a timetable to implement��, she said. ��The government needs to take 바카라사이트se plans off 바카라사이트 table and start again��.

She criticized 바카라사이트 ��removal of taxpayer funding from more socially inclusive universities�� and 바카라사이트 transfer of resources to more elite universities via 바카라사이트 student loan system.

In its submission to Hefce, Million+ states 바카라사이트 plans ��may not��promote higher quality teaching, particularly as 바카라사이트 White Paper lacks a direct and specific focus on supporting excellence in teaching and learning.��

It adds: ��Unrestricted recruitment of ��high achieving�� AAB+ students creates a perversity in 바카라사이트 market which has 바카라사이트 effect of privileging choice for a sub-section of students at 바카라사이트 expense of o바카라사이트rs.��

jack.grove@tsleducation.com