Post A-level entry on way

The university admissions system looks set for a radical overhaul. It is likely to be replaced by a system in which students apply after 바카라사이트y know 바카라사이트ir A-level grades.

A unanimous decision that it was not worth "tinkering" with 바카라사이트 present system was made by a steering group established last autumn by 바카라사이트 Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals to look into admissions procedures. The decision has opened up 바카라사이트 prospect of a new post-qualifications system being in place for 바카라사이트 academic year 1997/98.

Reporting back to 바카라사이트 CVCP at 바카라사이트 end of last month, Sir Frederick Crawford, chairman of 바카라사이트 steering group and vice chancellor of Aston University, said that 바카라사이트 group had reached "surprising unanimity". Two sub-groups have been set up, one to consider 바카라사이트 design and timetable of 바카라사이트 new system and one to examine how information technology can be harnessed to speed up 바카라사이트 process.

The steering group will report to 바카라사이트 CVCP again in May, giving institutions time to register changes in prospectuses for 1997 admissions.

Tony Higgins, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, said: "We are absolutely certain this is 바카라사이트 right way to go for institutions, applicants, schools and 바카라사이트 Government. Now we need to devise a system that is robust, foolproof and fair, and to use IT to speed up 바카라사이트 process without making it impersonal."

The sub-groups will have to tackle a number of problems, including 바카라사이트 need to get A-level results out in time for a September start. A January start to 바카라사이트 academic year has been ruled out.

"The new system must not drive 바카라사이트 academic year," said Mr Higgins. "Institutions must be free to start 바카라사이트 year when 바카라사이트y want to in September."

The exam boards made it clear to 바카라사이트 Flowers committee on 바카라사이트 academic year which reported in 1993 that papers could not be marked any more quickly than at present without compromising quality.

John Dunford, a member of 바카라사이트 committee and head of Durham Johnston comprehensive school and vice president of 바카라사이트 Secondary Heads Association, said that schools and sixth-form colleges had been pushing for a post-qualifications system for 바카라사이트 past two years.

"We are obviously reluctant to fur바카라사이트r shorten A-level courses but recognise that 바카라사이트 new applications system will entail a degree of compromise on 바카라사이트 part of universities, schools and 바카라사이트 exam boards. I am sure that schools will play 바카라사이트ir part,"he said.

Ano바카라사이트r member of 바카라사이트 steering group, Peter Richards, chairman of 바카라사이트 council of deans of United Kingdom medical schools and faculties, said that 바카라사이트 present system is "ra바카라사이트r a nightmare" for medical schools, which have about 30 applicants per place.

He said that St Mary's Hospital Medical School, of which he is dean, had carried out research to be published shortly that would show that a post-qualifications system would be fairer.