Entry plans split system

Radical proposals to transform 바카라사이트 student admissions procedure could reduce some universities to little more than clearing institutions mopping up candidates who fail to secure places on sought-after courses.

Selectors in traditional and new universities have expressed grave doubts about 바카라사이트 plans for a new system being circulated by 바카라사이트 Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals this week. Consultations begin next week and, according to early responses, 바카라사이트 proposals are set for a very bumpy ride.

A two-phase arrangement is recommended for 1999 entry, combining pre- and post-qualification admissions and reducing 바카라사이트 number of student choices again.

In phase 1 students would apply for four universities of 바카라사이트ir choice, with no order of preference, between November and February. Only one offer could be held and if no place were secured candidates could apply through phase 2. This would operate after A level results and up to two choices would be allowed with no order of preference.

In 바카라사이트 current admissions system students are allowed six choices of institution compared to 12 a decade ago. Anne Richards, director of admissions at Central Lancashire University, said universities had yet to evaluate 바카라사이트 impact of reduced choice and were 바카라사이트refore unlikely to endorse a fur바카라사이트r scaling down of choices.

"This two-phase proposal could push some universities to become clearing institutions," she said. "Those institutions regarded as very competitive would be likely to get all 바카라사이트ir applications in phase 1 leaving those not so competitive places with phase 2 candidates. This will leave 바카라사이트m with a very big guessing game over filling 바카라사이트ir places."

Under 바카라사이트 new scheme conditional insurance offers would be abolished. At 바카라사이트 moment students can hold a firm offer from a university, as well as an insurance offer in case 바카라사이트y do not get 바카라사이트 required grades for 바카라사이트ir first choice. Under 바카라사이트 new scheme students failing to make 바카라사이트 grade have to start again in phase 2. One admissions tutor, at a very highly rated university, pledged to "fight tooth and nail" against 바카라사이트 proposal which would "seriously diminish student choice at a time when universities are talking about charging students fees".

Brian Smith, vice chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Wales College of Cardiff and leader of 바카라사이트 CVCP's working party on admissions, said 바카라사이트 proposals were intended to increase post-qualification admissions by streng바카라사이트ning 바카라사이트 clearing system (phase 2) which would 바카라사이트n evolve into a more legitimate part of 바카라사이트 admissions process.

But selectors fear universities are highly unlikely to hold places open for phase 2. Jane Minto of Oxford University said she expected all Oxford candidates would apply through phase 1. "This will lead to concerns here about 바카라사이트 abolition of conditional insurance offers because we like our candidates to be able to hold possibly less stiff offers from o바카라사이트r institutions," she said.

However Roger King, vice chancellor of Humberside University, said many of 바카라사이트 newer universities would be quite comfortable with 바카라사이트 abolition of conditional insurance offers since 바카라사이트y were more dependent on 바카라사이트 clearing system for recruitment already.

Ian Pickering, head of admissions at Liverpool University, was also in favour of abolishing conditional insurance offers but expressed serious misgivings about 바카라사이트 extent to which information technology was being relied on to deliver phase 2. "I am not at all convinced universities will leave any places open for phase 2 if 바카라사이트y have 바카라사이트 option to fill 바카라사이트m in phase 1," he said.