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13/11/2003
Shake up in university applications considered
The government has "agreed in principle" to a plan for students to know their A level results before they apply to university, but stipulated that "a lot more work was needed" for it to work in practice.
The paper on post qualifications applications (PQA) responds to a recommendation in Mike Tomlinson's final report on A level standards and a subsequent commitment in the Higher Education White Paper.
Under the PQA, applicants would know their final exam results when taking important decisions about whether and where to apply to university. This could encourage those who lack confidence, including those from families with no tradition of Higher Education, to raise their aspirations and ensure that their applications were appropriately targeted.
The Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education Alan Johnson said: "The top line for us is that PQA is right in principle. It could help to widen participation and make university admissions clearer and fairer. But, the bottom line is that it needs to be agreed with key stakeholders, including the devolved administrations as it can only operate on a UK wide basis.
"The paper suggests that within the current system the most likely way to get PQA is to move the start date of the university term. But, there are lots of practical issues with this and I would like to find a way to deliver PQA, which requires the minimum of changes for universities across the UK."
Mr Johnson added that PQA could not be looked at in isolation and was tied into other developments such as the Tomlinson report on the future of 14-19 curriculum and assessment, modernisation of the exam system and the Schwartz Taskforce on Admissions.
The paper was produced with the help of an advisory group, which included representatives from the Higher Education sector; schools; colleges; awarding bodies and local government.
(gmcg)
The paper on post qualifications applications (PQA) responds to a recommendation in Mike Tomlinson's final report on A level standards and a subsequent commitment in the Higher Education White Paper.
Under the PQA, applicants would know their final exam results when taking important decisions about whether and where to apply to university. This could encourage those who lack confidence, including those from families with no tradition of Higher Education, to raise their aspirations and ensure that their applications were appropriately targeted.
The Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education Alan Johnson said: "The top line for us is that PQA is right in principle. It could help to widen participation and make university admissions clearer and fairer. But, the bottom line is that it needs to be agreed with key stakeholders, including the devolved administrations as it can only operate on a UK wide basis.
"The paper suggests that within the current system the most likely way to get PQA is to move the start date of the university term. But, there are lots of practical issues with this and I would like to find a way to deliver PQA, which requires the minimum of changes for universities across the UK."
Mr Johnson added that PQA could not be looked at in isolation and was tied into other developments such as the Tomlinson report on the future of 14-19 curriculum and assessment, modernisation of the exam system and the Schwartz Taskforce on Admissions.
The paper was produced with the help of an advisory group, which included representatives from the Higher Education sector; schools; colleges; awarding bodies and local government.
(gmcg)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
