UCAS -entrance system to be reviewed

The points-based university entrance system is to be reviewed. University applicants now have a wider range of qualifications which are not all recognised at present, admissions service Ucas said.
Under the system, designed 10 years ago, A levels and other qualifications are each given a 'points score'. Universities use these to make offers to students. Ucas said that when the system was introduced, A levels were the main entry qualification for higher education - now around half of applicants from Britain and Northern Ireland to universities apply with other qualifications.
There are also concerns that the tariff system does not show how a particular qualification could be more appropriate for some courses than others.
(Irish News 8th July)

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Students Opt to Stay at Uni!

Two thirds of final year students admit to being concerned about the current economic climate, and over a third are planning to continue their studies next year, according to a new report by the National Union of Students (NUS) and HSBC.

The 'Students in Employment and Post Course Plans' survey, published yesterday, also reveals that middle class students are more likely than any other group to have to support themselves financially while at university.

Findings include:
- 66% of final year students are concerned about the current economic climate
- 30% of final year students said they had changed their plans for after they graduate as a result of the economic climate
- 38% of final year students planned to do further studying, up from 27% last year
- 42.5% of students from middle income families work during term time, compared to just 36% from poorer families and 27% of students from richer families

NUS President Wes Streeting said: "It is clearly an extremely worrying time for many students, with top up fees leaving them in record levels of debt and graduate job prospects drying up.

"Middle class students in particular are feeling the pinch. They do not qualify for grants or bursaries, but their families are not earning enough to support them through a degree.

"It is remarkable that some vice chancellors are still insensitive enough to call for even higher fees during a time of economic crisis. They have to acknowledge that students and their families are already bearing enough of a burden."

According to a recent report by Universities UK, graduates would owe an average of over £26,000 if the cap on fees were raised to £5,000 a year, and over £32,000 if the cap were raised to £7,000 a year. Despite this, more than half of university vice chancellors surveyed by the BBC in March called for charges of at least £5,000 per year, or for there to be no upper limit.

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