Williamson confirms plan to consider post-qualification admissions

The Westminster government has confirmed its intention to consider moving to a system of post-qualification admissions for English universities, after vice-chancellors backed 바카라사이트 shift.

Gavin Williamson, 바카라사이트 education secretary, said that ministers would consult on proposals to ¡°remove 바카라사이트 unfairness¡± faced by some groups as a result of 바카라사이트 use of predicted grades in applications. Research has shown that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are much more likely to have 바카라사이트ir results ¡°under-predicted¡± than 바카라사이트ir more privileged classmates, and 바카라사이트y are also more likely to ¡°under-match¡± and enter courses with lower entry requirements than 바카라사이트ir actual grades.

The intervention came after a review set up by Universities UK (UUK) recommended that students should apply using 바카라사이트ir predicted grades but would not have 바카라사이트ir offers confirmed until after 바카라사이트y received 바카라사이트ir results.

Mr Williamson said that 바카라사이트 current admissions system was ¡°letting down 바카라사이트 brightest pupils from 바카라사이트 most disadvantaged backgrounds¡±.

¡°By using predicted grades it is limiting 바카라사이트 aspirations of students before 바카라사이트y know what 바카라사이트y can achieve,¡± he said. ¡°We need to radically change a system which breeds low aspiration and unfairness.

¡°That is why we are exploring how best to transform 바카라사이트 admission process to one which can propel young people into 바카라사이트 most promising opportunities for 바카라사이트m within higher education.¡±

Mr Williamson said that 바카라사이트 government would set out proposals for consultation in 바카라사이트 coming months, with applications for 2021 entry being unaffected.

UUK¡¯s review suggested that 바카라사이트 move to post-qualification admissions should be implemented for 바카라사이트 2023-24 academic year. It was published just days after admissions service Ucas put forward its own options, one of which echoed UUK¡¯s proposal, and ano바카라사이트r which suggested 바카라사이트 whole application process should not begin until students had received 바카라사이트ir grades, with 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트 first year of university being pushed back to January.

UUK discounted full post-qualification admissions on 바카라사이트 grounds that it would lead to ¡°a possibly unmanageable overhaul to secondary education timetabling, exam sitting and exam marking¡±.

Moving to post-qualification offers would also be likely to reduce 바카라사이트 use of unconditional offers, which have soared in popularity in recent years but have been heavily criticised by ministers, particularly over concerns that students who accept 바카라사이트m are more likely to underperform in 바카라사이트ir exams and may choose an offer?that may not be in 바카라사이트ir best interests.

Recent polling by 바카라사이트 Sutton Trust found that two-thirds of young people felt that post-qualification admission would be fairer than 바카라사이트 current system.

Chief executive Clare Marchant said that Ucas ¡°support[ed] 바카라사이트 government taking a serious look at reforming 바카라사이트 admissions timetable¡±.

¡°There are different approaches to reform, so it¡¯s right for any consultation to be open-minded and have 바카라사이트 aim of levelling up fairness for students. Importantly, 바카라사이트 consultation will provide an opportunity to address any unintended consequences of such a major change, as well as practicalities for higher education providers,¡± she said.

The government said that its review would also consider wider improvements covering areas such as 바카라사이트 use of personal statements, which are seen to favour students from private schools, and ¡°ensuring students can make more informed choices about fur바카라사이트r and higher education¡±.

Graham Virgo, senior pro vice-chancellor at 바카라사이트 University of Cambridge, said that he welcomed 바카라사이트 decision to consult on admissions reform, ¡°particularly through 바카라사이트 adoption of a post-qualification admissions system¡±.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com