UCU response to Universities UK admissions review

An overhaul of university admissions is long overdue but should be informed by students and staff directly involved in the admissions process, the University and College Union (UCU) said today.

The union was responding to an announcement from Universities UK that it is launching a new review into fair admissions. It said any review needed to be wide-reaching and listen to the growing calls for a move to a fairer system of post-qualification admissions.

Acting general secretary Paul Cottrell said: 'A comprehensive overhaul of university admissions is long overdue, so it is good to see this issue getting more attention across the sector. However, the review panel has missed a trick by not including any staff directly involved in making offers, or any students who have recently been through the university admissions process. Any reform should be fully informed by the people who it will affect the most.

'There is growing support for a shift to a post-qualification admissions system, where students apply to university after they have received their results. Our research shows such a move would not only be fairer for students, it would bring the UK into line with the rest of the world and eliminate the use of controversial unconditional offers and the chaotic clearing process.'