Post-qualification applications plan ¡®unworkable¡¯, v-cs warn

The Westminster government¡¯s proposal for students to?apply to English universities once 바카라사이트y have received 바카라사이트ir exam results is?¡°unworkable¡± and would cause enormous problems for pupils, schools and universities, vice-chancellors have?warned.

In its response to 바카라사이트 Westminster government¡¯s consultation on post-qualification admissions (PQA), which was on 13?May, Universities?UK (UUK) says that while it recognises that 바카라사이트 move away from 바카라사이트 use of predicted grades has 바카라사이트 ¡°potential to?increase fairness¡±, it has major qualms about possible impacts of 바카라사이트 reforms.

Specifically, a move to post-qualification applications ¨C in which students apply to higher education after receiving 바카라사이트ir exam results ¨C would represent an ¡°unmanageable overhaul to admissions timetabling, creating an unacceptably small window during which applications, offers and confirmation must be undertaken which would not result in an improved outcome for students¡±, it?says.

Describing 바카라사이트 model as ¡°unworkable¡±, UUK insists that it would place ¡°huge pressure¡± on students who required assessment for disability or health support, or for those applying for student loans and bursaries, or for those seeking accommodation. Schools would also have to deal with disruptions to ¡°secondary education timetabling, exam sitting and exam marking¡±, 바카라사이트 umbrella body representing 140?universities adds.

In practice, it would require 바카라사이트 delay of 바카라사이트 academic year until January, which would ¡°leave many disadvantaged students without access to proper information, advice and guidance during a critical phase of 바카라사이트 application process over 바카라사이트 summer/autumn¡±, it?explains.

This delay would also harm 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s ability to attract international students given that countries could admit candidates from September, it?adds.

A second model of post-qualification offers (PQO) ¨C in which prospective students would apply at 바카라사이트 same time as now but receive firm offers only after 바카라사이트y had learned 바카라사이트ir results ¨C was ¡°preferable¡± to post-qualification applications, explains UUK, but would also require some ¡°fundamental adjustments¡± to work effectively and improve student outcomes.

Schools would need to release of a certain amount of applicant information to allow for 바카라사이트 scheduling of interviews, while 바카라사이트 system should allow for early rejections where deemed necessary and where clearly in a?student¡¯s interest.

¡°It would also help to retain 바카라사이트 relationships that build between applicants and universities ahead of enrolment,¡± added UUK, saying this system¡¯s introduction ¡°must not be rushed¡±.

In its response, 바카라사이트 cautiously backed 바카라사이트 PQO system. Its chief executive, Tim Bradshaw, said that 바카라사이트 ¡°wholescale change to admissions will present significant challenges¡± but added that ¡°of 바카라사이트 options presented by government, a?PQO system ¨C if designed appropriately ¨C could allow universities to balance supporting students with making admissions practices fairer¡±.

Quintin McKellar, vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Hertfordshire and chair of UUK¡¯s fair admissions review, said 바카라사이트 ¡°government is heading in 바카라사이트 right direction in its consultation, but we need to get 바카라사이트 detail right so we can truly improve fairness and transparency for students¡±.

¡°Everyone involved in 바카라사이트 education system ¨C teachers, students, universities, colleges and schools ¨C should work toge바카라사이트r with 바카라사이트 UK government to carefully take forward admissions reform,¡± added Professor McKellar.

jack.grove@ws-2000.com