Post-result uni admissions proposed by UCAS

PLANS for a radical shake-up of university admissions have been published today by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). The report recommends that students apply for university places only after receiving their final grades, scrapping the system of places based on predicted grades which has stood since 1961.  
 
UCAS claims the existing procedure is "hit and miss" and that the new proposals would create a "fairer, more transparent and simpler system with applicants clear at the point of application whether they meet the minimum requirements for a course".
 
The report found that predicted grades – from which provisional places are allocated - are only correct in 10 per cent of cases, which leaves 40,000 of those who fall short to face the stressful clearing system. Clearing would be scrapped under the new proposals.
 
A shorter application process would also "aid those candidates less well equipped to work the system", according to the BBC, as students at wealthier schools are better informed about the complex procedure.
 
Currently students apply in January, far in advance of exams in May and results in August. The new proposals would bring exams forward two weeks, and results to July. Marking turnaround would be faster but the academic year would be pushed back - no university courses would begin before 8 October.
 
UCAS hopes to phase in the new system from 2014, and it is understood the body has strong support from within higher education and also the government. "Making the university application process simpler and more efficient would be good news for students", said Universities Minister David Willetts.
 
However, at least one exam board has concerns that "the proposed timetable for marking papers and issuing results could be difficult to meet", according to The Financial Times, and some universities feel they will be unable to properly assess candidates within the reduced time-frame. ·