Russell Group of universities have rejected plans for students to apply for courses after they receive their exam grades, The Times reports.
The group of leading universities highlighted its misgivings in its response to the Government’s consultation on reforms to the admissions system for higher education, launched because of concerns over the accuracy of predicted grades.
One option being considered would mean pupils applying to universities and receiving their offers after A-level results day — and pushing back the start of university terms.
A second option, a post-qualification offers system, would see pupils apply in the usual way during term-time but with offers sent out after results day.
The Russell Group of universities said that a post-qualification offers system would be “the most workable” although such a shift would require “a significant amount of time, effort and financial investment to design and implement effectively”.
Olivera Raraty, head of Malvern St James School in Worcestershire, said: “It would be sensible for universities to reserve a quota of places for post-results day. This would help to rebalance the current system in favour of those students who, due to no fault of their own, currently miss out because they do not have the same levels of support.”
The Association of School and College Leaders has decided to “cautiously support” post-qualification offers to end the “pantomime” over admissions.