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CHANGES TO THE university application system were announced by the government in May 2006.
Under the current system students must apply to their chosen university on the basis of predicted grades. Higher education places are then confirmed after the A-level and Scottish Higher results are known – with those who fail to make the grade for their firm or insurance choices (and those who hold no offers) entering clearing to secure a place.
The government had put forward two options for consideration:-
1. A system whereby students would wait until they had their results and no places being offered until they were known.
2. A system of conditional offers (as at present) but based on students' prior academic records. Universities would leave a number of places vacant so that students could apply once they knew their results.
Following the consultation, the government has proposed a new "upgrade week" from 2008 which will allow those who do better in their exams to change their minds and seek places at universities which they would not have considered previously because they had expected that their grades would not be good enough.
Pupils will be allowed to hold on to their original choice during this time but then "upgrade" if they net a "better offer".
Ministers are hopeful that pupils from low-achieving schools who manage to exceed their predicted A-level grades will then go on to upgrade in order to secure their place at the UK's prestigious institutions. The system will be reviewed in 2010-11.
The reforms are aimed at combating concerns that talented state school pupils often miss out on places at the best institutions as their teachers tend to predict lower grades for them than those from independent schools.
Under the new system exam results would be published earlier allowing students' time to make fresh applications with institutions holding back a number of places with "upgrade week" in mind.
Ministers believe around 9,000 students will take advantage and upgrade their place but some university chiefs have hit back branding the new system a "poachers' charter".
The uncertainty of students holding a confirmed place, but then deciding to go elsewhere in "upgrade week", comes at a time when institutions are fighting hard for new students following the introduction of higher fees from 2006/07.
More information on these changes will be available nearer the time.
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