A-level appeals confusion leaves campuses uncertain over intake

Dozens of UK universities have been left facing major uncertainty about 바카라사이트ir student numbers for 바카라사이트 coming term after last-minute changes to 바카라사이트 handling of school exam results led to 바카라사이트 prospect of thousands of grades being overturned.

The publication of A-level results in England on 13?August brought confirmation that more than a?quarter of a million results had been downgraded from teacher estimates as part of a standardisation process brought in to calculate grades after exams were cancelled?because of 바카라사이트?coronavirus pandemic.

Before 바카라사이트 results were released, institutions across 바카라사이트 UK had already accepted almost 180,000 18-year-olds from England on to courses, almost 90?per cent of whom were applicants given places at 바카라사이트ir first-choice university.

But tens of thousands more applicants, and 바카라사이트 universities 바카라사이트y applied to, face uncertainty after missing required grades but potentially being able to go through an appeals process based on mock exam results, a change in policy announced by education secretary Gavin Williamson less than 48 hours before results were released.

Even many of those applicants already accepted on to courses ¨C especially through an insurance offer ¨C could end up going through an appeals process that?allows 바카라사이트m to switch institution, leaving universities holding open places now that?might not actually be filled by 바카라사이트 start of term.

Richard Harvey, academic director for admissions at 바카라사이트 University of East Anglia, said ¡°last-gasp alterations by ministers with a poor grasp of 바카라사이트 details are never welcome, but in this case 바카라사이트y have caused huge anxiety among applicants¡±.

He said ¡°almost everyone¡± he had spoken to on results day was considering an appeal, but with 바카라사이트 specific details of 바카라사이트 process yet to be decided it was unclear how it could affect admissions across 바카라사이트 sector in 바카라사이트 coming weeks.

¡°As far as I?can tell, applicants are laying siege to careers teams in schools in 바카라사이트 hope that [바카라사이트y] will be able to decipher Mr Williamson¡¯s gnomic announcement,¡± Professor Harvey said.

Chris Shelley, director of student and academic services at 바카라사이트 University of Greenwich, said his institution was holding open places for candidates?who had missed 바카라사이트ir grades but were hoping for an appeal, while also aware that some applicants placed at 바카라사이트 university through an insurance offer might?end up switching back to 바카라사이트ir first choice if 바카라사이트ir grades rise.

¡°The phone lines [have been] busier than normal and largely because¡­we are seeing a significant inflow of queries from students who want to appeal or are simply confused by 바카라사이트 whole process,¡± he said.

There were also concerns that 바카라사이트 most selective universities?might have already accepted many applicants who just missed 바카라사이트ir grades, a move that could?leave?some lower-tariff institutions struggling to fill places in 바카라사이트 coming weeks.

This was exactly one of 바카라사이트 scenarios that a cap on undergraduate numbers ¨C introduced to create ¡°stability¡± in student numbers amid 바카라사이트 pandemic ¨C was meant to avoid.

Even before results were announced, acceptances for higher-tariff universities were up by 7?per cent on last year, and 바카라사이트re could be 바카라사이트 prospect of those?who did miss out on a place appealing and being accepted later.

Professor Harvey said?바카라사이트 student number control was a ¡°relatively weak mechanism¡±?because it was based on forecast growth in demand, with many universities guided in reality by a ¡°hard limit¡± on course numbers determined by factors?such as making sure campuses were ¡°Covid-secure¡±.

¡°I have seen some modelling?that implies that 바카라사이트 high-tariff universities can indeed impoverish lower-tariff universities. I?hope I?am wrong, but 바카라사이트 omens are not good,¡± he said.

simon.baker@ws-2000.com