million+ responds to A level results and clearing places
Today (Thursday) as thousands of students open their A Level results, with record numbers hoping to secure a place at university, million+ welcomed the rise in attainment and aspiration but expressed concern that there remains a serious mismatch between demand for places and supply.
Professor Les Ebdon CBE Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire and Chair of university think-tank million+ said, “This Government has evidently done well to raise both attainment and aspiration of young people record pass rates and with more students than ever before seeking places at university.
“Today can be a joyous but also stressful day for many thousands of applicants and we wish students all the best in finding a place at university. It is testament to teaching standards and sheer hard work of young people that we are seeing such fantastic results today, it would be a real shame if the tired old ‘standards’ debate overshadows their success today.
“It is unfortunate that the peak in the number of 18 year olds in the system and the recession have collided to mean that demand for university places far outstrips supply. The Government did the right thing by finding the funds for student support for 10,000 additional places and indeed has done much better than any previous Government has done in the recessions of the 1980s and 1990s.
“However, million+ is concerned with the rising level of youth unemployment and hope that the Government continues to do more to ensure more well-qualified students can get a place at university. Many modern universities recruit again in January and February and there would always be more that could be done for disappointed applicants.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- million+ is a leading university think-tank, working to solve the complex problems in higher education. www.millionplus.ac.uk
- For previous press comment on university places and clearing visit www.millionplus.ac.uk/news
- For more information please contact Gemma Tumelty, Public Affairs Officer on gemmatumelty@millionplus.ac.uk or call 0207 7171655