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University admissions 'too confusing', says regulator | University admissions 'too confusing', says regulator |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Too many teenagers are left confused by the process of applying to university, the exams regulator says. | Too many teenagers are left confused by the process of applying to university, the exams regulator says. |
Ofqual said students were not "clairvoyants" and needed clear information about what A-levels they should study for university courses. | Ofqual said students were not "clairvoyants" and needed clear information about what A-levels they should study for university courses. |
The regulator said many teenagers were left guessing how to increase their chances of securing a degree place. | The regulator said many teenagers were left guessing how to increase their chances of securing a degree place. |
It called on universities to send clear and helpful messages to potential applicants. | It called on universities to send clear and helpful messages to potential applicants. |
In the regulator's annual report, Ofqual chief executive Isabel Nisbet said students needed to be helped to make informed decisions. | In the regulator's annual report, Ofqual chief executive Isabel Nisbet said students needed to be helped to make informed decisions. |
"It should not be the case that the applicants with the best advice and guidance have a competitive edge. It should be possible for all students to understand admission requirements without an expert decoding them," she said. | "It should not be the case that the applicants with the best advice and guidance have a competitive edge. It should be possible for all students to understand admission requirements without an expert decoding them," she said. |
"We are therefore calling on the higher education sector to redouble its work to send clear and helpful messages to potential applicants." | "We are therefore calling on the higher education sector to redouble its work to send clear and helpful messages to potential applicants." |
Ms Nisbet said teenagers choosing what to study at GCSE and A-level risked unwittingly losing out in the eyes of higher education institutions which did not rate certain subjects such as business studies, drama and law, for example. | Ms Nisbet said teenagers choosing what to study at GCSE and A-level risked unwittingly losing out in the eyes of higher education institutions which did not rate certain subjects such as business studies, drama and law, for example. |
University websites | |
Dr Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group, which represents top universities, said these universities did try to give applicants as much information as possible. | |
"University websites typically include details on 'essential' and 'preferred' A-levels to help students maximise their chances of gaining entry to competitive degree courses. | |
"Students would be well advised to take very careful note of such requirements for their desired degree courses before picking supplementary A-levels." | |
Dr Piatt said competition for certain subjects at top universities was fierce. | |
"Students must not disadvantage themselves by choosing a combination of subjects at A-level which will not equip them as well as other subjects to excel on their chosen course, or which do not demonstrate as effectively as others their aptitude for a particular subject." |
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