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31/10/2011
UCAS System Faces Shake Up
The rules for applying for a place in university could undergo their biggest change in over 50 years, under proposals published on Monday.
According to the report by student applications body, UCAS, students will now apply for university after receiving their A-level grades.
The proposed changes come after a review by Ucas found the current application process was complex, lacked transparency, was inefficient and cumbersome. The proposal could also end the clearing system that see thousands of students make last minute bids for university places.
UCAS’s report said: “The cumulative effect of predicted grades, insurance choices and Clearing have led to a system that is complex, is thought to lack transparency for many applicants and is inefficient and cumbersome for higher education institutions.”
Responding to the consultation, Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said: “Making the university application process simpler and more efficient would be good news for students. It is important that applicants understand how the system works and that any unnecessary burdens on institutions are removed.
“We look forward to the outcome of the UCAS review of the applications process; we will then consider this proposal further.”
The proposed system - which would not be in place until 2016 at the earliest - would see students sit their A-levels earlier before applying for university over the summer.
Courses would then start in mid-October.
In response to the review, Shabana Mahmood MP, Labour's Shadow Universities Minister, welcomed the proposals to reform the applications system, which she said would allow students to apply based on the grades they had actually achieved as opposed to applying based on guesswork.
"Any changes to the A-level and applications process will need careful consideration by both schools and universities, but as there has been no fundamental overhaul of the university admissions system for over 50 years it is time for applicants to use a system that is fit for purpose and does not disadvantage a particular group of students," the MP said.
(DW)
According to the report by student applications body, UCAS, students will now apply for university after receiving their A-level grades.
The proposed changes come after a review by Ucas found the current application process was complex, lacked transparency, was inefficient and cumbersome. The proposal could also end the clearing system that see thousands of students make last minute bids for university places.
UCAS’s report said: “The cumulative effect of predicted grades, insurance choices and Clearing have led to a system that is complex, is thought to lack transparency for many applicants and is inefficient and cumbersome for higher education institutions.”
Responding to the consultation, Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said: “Making the university application process simpler and more efficient would be good news for students. It is important that applicants understand how the system works and that any unnecessary burdens on institutions are removed.
“We look forward to the outcome of the UCAS review of the applications process; we will then consider this proposal further.”
The proposed system - which would not be in place until 2016 at the earliest - would see students sit their A-levels earlier before applying for university over the summer.
Courses would then start in mid-October.
In response to the review, Shabana Mahmood MP, Labour's Shadow Universities Minister, welcomed the proposals to reform the applications system, which she said would allow students to apply based on the grades they had actually achieved as opposed to applying based on guesswork.
"Any changes to the A-level and applications process will need careful consideration by both schools and universities, but as there has been no fundamental overhaul of the university admissions system for over 50 years it is time for applicants to use a system that is fit for purpose and does not disadvantage a particular group of students," the MP said.
(DW)
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Changes To Student Visas Outlined
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