30 June 2010

million+ welcomes UCAS Tariff Review

Leading university think tank million+ has today welcomed the announcement of a comprehensive review of the UCAS Tariff, the points-based system used to assess the qualifications of those applying for higher education courses. Professor Les Ebdon, Chair of million+ and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire said: “The review of the UCAS tariff is timely although the wide range of qualifications already covered by the tariff make it clear that the route to university is not confined to students with A-levels. However, the real challenge in 2010 is whether there will be sufficient funded places for people to fulfill their ambition of studying at university. UCAS’s own figures suggest that there are at least 16% more applications from people of all ages compared to the same time last year. Only 10,000 additional places have been funded and universities have to find savings in order to offset the teaching grant that they will receive for these students.

“The Coalition Government should maintain its commitment to social mobility and fund many more university places. It would be absurd if people who are qualified to go to university, are deprived of a place just because they are unlucky enough to have passed their A-levels, college courses or been successful in other qualifications recognised by UCAS in the same year that the Chancellor has decided to pursue a policy of rapid deficit reduction.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
Further information on the Tariff and the UCAS statement can be found here