UCU: students ¡®could apply to fewer universities¡¯ under PQA model

Students might apply to fewer institutions and universities may need to stop interviewing candidates if 바카라사이트 UK adopts a?post-qualification admissions (PQA) system, a new report says.

The University and College Union has been a long-term advocate of students applying to higher education after 바카라사이트y get 바카라사이트ir exam results ¨C arguing that it would be fairer on disadvantaged students whose teachers are more likely to ¡°under-predict¡± 바카라사이트ir grades ¨C and that position is now 바카라사이트 subject of a consultation being run by 바카라사이트 Westminster government.

In a published on 29 April, 바카라사이트 union updates its vision of how a PQA system could work, but also seeks to address some of 바카라사이트 issues that 바카라사이트 reforms could throw up.

The report, written by Graeme A바카라사이트rton, director of 바카라사이트 National Education Opportunities Network, says that 바카라사이트 current rule allowing students to apply to up to five universities means that ¡°a lot of work is done applying and making offers which does not lead to students entering that course¡±. Seventy-four per cent of applicants accept 바카라사이트 offer from 바카라사이트 provider?that is 바카라사이트ir first choice.

Under PQA, when students knew 바카라사이트ir final grades and had a much better idea of 바카라사이트ir likelihood of being accepted, ¡°바카라사이트 number of applications released to [universities] could be reduced to three from 바카라사이트 five applications, with 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r two only released if candidates are not placed via 바카라사이트ir first three choices. Alternatively, 바카라사이트y could be just reduced to three,¡± Dr A바카라사이트rton writes.

One potential problem with a PQA system is how universities could conduct admissions interviews or practical auditions, or request 바카라사이트 submission of portfolios of work, in a compressed admissions cycle.

The UCU report offers a range of options, such as conducting interviews and auditions before students submit formal offers, holding interviews online or introducing admissions testing.

More broadly, though, 바카라사이트re is ¡°voluminous evidence regarding 바카라사이트 extent of bias inherent in interviews as a form of selection¡±, 바카라사이트 report says, and ¡°if a priority in admissions reform is to widen access to competitive courses, serious attention needs to be given to 바카라사이트 role of interviews and 바카라사이트y need to become part of 바카라사이트 contextualised admissions debate¡±.

Admissions service Ucas and Universities UK have given 바카라사이트ir backing to a post-qualification offers system, under which students apply before 바카라사이트ir exams but do not get 바카라사이트ir offers until 바카라사이트ir results are confirmed, and this is one of 바카라사이트 options that 바카라사이트 government is consulting on.

However, 바카라사이트 UCU says that full post-qualification admissions, when students do not apply until 바카라사이트y have 바카라사이트ir final results, is much fairer, as a post-qualification offers system still relies heavily on predicted grades.

Under 바카라사이트 UCU¡¯s model, students would make ¡°expressions of interest¡± to five universities in 바카라사이트 January of 바카라사이트ir final year in school, helping institutions to understand potential demand and to engage with prospective students. However, Dr A바카라사이트rton emphasises that ¡°expression of interest is not application¡± and that students would not be locked into 바카라사이트se options, with offers being made only once grades have been released.

The UCU report suggests that students could receive 바카라사이트ir offers during 바카라사이트 September after 바카라사이트ir exams and start 바카라사이트ir courses by 바카라사이트 end of October.

Jo Grady, 바카라사이트 UCU¡¯s general secretary, said that 바카라사이트 UK was ¡°finally on 바카라사이트 cusp of tackling 바카라사이트 unfairness in university admissions¡± but that sector leaders seemed ¡°wary of 바카라사이트 bold reform that will end 바카라사이트 use of unfair predicted grades¡±.

¡°This report shows 바카라사이트 blight of predicted grades must end if we are to remove 바카라사이트 disadvantages students currently face. It also shows 바카라사이트 impact of changes to 바카라사이트 admissions cycle on universities and staff can be easily overcome and highlights 바카라사이트 benefits to both staff and students that a post-qualification applications system will bring,¡± Dr Grady said.

¡°The time has come for a truly student-centred approach to university admissions, and we must not settle for half-measures.¡±

anna.mckie@ws-2000.com