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This is an article written for X-Media Online on Thursday. I'm News Editor of X-Media Online and you can check out the section and website at www.xmedia.ex.ac.uk :)
Students should apply to university after results, Ucas declare
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| Photo from gettyimages |
A-level exams are to be sat at Easter and students will wait until results day before applying to university, the University and College Admissions Service (Ucas) has proposed.
Under plans, pupils would only apply for a degree course once they have received their A-level results to replace the current system where offers are made based on predicted grades.
From 2016, exams would take place before the Easter holiday with results being released in July.
Ucas chief executive, Mary Curnock Cook, proposed the changes in a presentation to vice-chancellors in London last week.
The changes would prevent pupils being predicted the wrong marks. At the moment, many students do not apply to universities with high entry requirements fearing they will not make the grade, only to find out on results day they have exceeded their expectations. It is thought up to half of predicted grades are wrong.
The move would bring an end to pupils’ uncertainty but those against the proposal argue there is not enough time for university admissions teams to consider thousands of applications between July and the start of the university term.
Teaching unions are also expected to oppose the change, as it would reduce necessary time spent in the classroom.
But the plans would prevent students missing out on university places due to examiner errors. This year, a pupil from Uppingham School in Rutland missed out on a place at Exeter to study medicine after getting an A and two Bs. These grades were quickly remarked to three As but Exeter refused to accept her at the university for this year, only offering a place for 2012.
Government ministers backed the proposed changes, expressing “real interest”.
Ucas is to invite schools and universities to comment on its proposal, as part of an internal review of its admissions service.
What do you think?
Under plans, pupils would only apply for a degree course once they have received their A-level results to replace the current system where offers are made based on predicted grades.
From 2016, exams would take place before the Easter holiday with results being released in July.
Ucas chief executive, Mary Curnock Cook, proposed the changes in a presentation to vice-chancellors in London last week.
The changes would prevent pupils being predicted the wrong marks. At the moment, many students do not apply to universities with high entry requirements fearing they will not make the grade, only to find out on results day they have exceeded their expectations. It is thought up to half of predicted grades are wrong.
The move would bring an end to pupils’ uncertainty but those against the proposal argue there is not enough time for university admissions teams to consider thousands of applications between July and the start of the university term.
Teaching unions are also expected to oppose the change, as it would reduce necessary time spent in the classroom.
But the plans would prevent students missing out on university places due to examiner errors. This year, a pupil from Uppingham School in Rutland missed out on a place at Exeter to study medicine after getting an A and two Bs. These grades were quickly remarked to three As but Exeter refused to accept her at the university for this year, only offering a place for 2012.
Government ministers backed the proposed changes, expressing “real interest”.
Ucas is to invite schools and universities to comment on its proposal, as part of an internal review of its admissions service.
What do you think?
IB
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