Universities to make 'safety net' offers that guarantee admission even if results drop

Rising numbers of universities plan to introduce versatile grade presents in a scramble to recruit Britain's finest college leavers, it was revealed yesterday.

Establishments are set to make 'security internet' presents to college students who identify them as their first alternative which is able to assure admission even when their A-level grades dip.

The transfer comes amid unprecedented competitors for undergraduates following the removing of limits on scholar numbers and a demographic dip within the variety of 18-year-olds.

Rising numbers of universities plan to introduce versatile grade presents in a scramble to recruit Britain's finest college leavers (file photograph) 

Many are already providing money incentives in addition to free fitness center membership and pill computer systems in a bid to woo potential college students to their campuses.

Universities are actually following the instance of Studying, which introduced earlier this 12 months it's making versatile grade presents as a result of 'very aggressive, aggressive undergraduate market'.

College students making use of to Studying who obtain a conditional supply of BBB for instance, are allowed to slide one grade to BBC and nonetheless achieve a confirmed place - if they've put the establishment as their agency alternative, somewhat than as their 'insurance coverage' rating.

A survey of 81 college admissions officers at UK universities, together with the elite Russell Group, revealed yesterday (tues) discovered that 4 per cent – three – plan to launch comparable 'versatile presents' for sixth-formers subsequent 12 months.

Fourteen per cent - 11 - might 'probably' emulate the Studying scheme.

The transfer comes amid unprecedented competitors for undergraduates following the removing of limits on scholar numbers and a demographic dip within the variety of 18-year-olds (file photograph)

The annual College Admissions Officers Report mentioned the 'topic of flexibility in entry necessities is very topical amongst college admissions officers within the UK'.

Fifty-seven per cent are aiming to recruit extra undergraduates, however 28 per cent admit they might face 'some problem' reaching their targets.

The report additionally highlights the expansion of 'unconditional presents', the place establishments attempt to tempt candidates with a proposal of a spot whatever the examination grades they finally obtain.

Universities often goal the brightest college students who've excelled at GCSE and in mock exams – making presents earlier than they've even taken their summer time exams.

Fifty per cent of admissions officers - 41- mentioned they had been making unconditional presents to candidates who 'have but to finish their last exams'.

The report says: 'In Britain, historically universities make a proposal to an applicant which is conditional on that scholar reaching a particular rating of their last college exams.

'Within the US, universities make a proposal primarily based on a wide range of elements, however don't wait till the ultimate examination grade is confirmed earlier than making a agency supply. The UK appears nevertheless, to be shifting nearer to the American system.'

Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Training and Employment Analysis at Buckingham College, mentioned: 'Pupil charges are essential to universities and now that the cap on locations has come off they're in fierce competitors with one another.

'That has meant they've turn into far more versatile concerning the grades that they are going to settle for.

'In some circumstances, they make unconditional presents and in different circumstances they are often versatile concerning the grades that they are going to settle for.

'This can be a bit unfair on these college students who aren't thought by their lecturers to be prone to get good grades however however accomplish that and discover all of the locations have gone.'

A spokesman for Studying College mentioned yesterday: 'Extra strategic, focused offer-making is the truth of a really aggressive, aggressive undergraduate market.

'Universities aren't wrapped in cotton wool any extra by scholar quantity caps – we must be far more proactive.'

The survey was carried out on behalf of ACS Worldwide Colleges, the Worldwide Baccalaureate (IB) and the IB Colleges and Faculties Affiliation (IBSCA).

It additionally discovered that admissions officers favour the Worldwide Baccalaureate Diploma Programme over A-levels.

Ninety-seven per cent claimed the IB was the 'finest preparation to thrive at college' in comparison with 87 per cent who cited A-levels. 

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