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UCU response to Hepi poll: University applicants need 'support and safety nets'

6 April 2020

The union was responding to a poll from the Higher Education Policy Institute that found almost a third of applicants feel less confident they will get into their chosen university since the coronavirus pandemic.

It also revealed that under half of applicants have confidence that their predicted grades are an accurate reflection of the grades they would have received in this summer's exams.

UCU general secretary, Jo Grady, said: 'University applicants are already suffering from a turbulent end to their current stage of education and need support as they move on to university. It is not business as usual at the moment and it is unlikely that everything will have returned to normal by the start of the new academic year.

'We need to provide support and safety nets so students are not disadvantaged by the coronavirus crisis. We want guarantees from universities that students who decide to appeal their results or resit exams can hold their university place while they go through that process.

'No student should be put off starting at university because they worry they do not have the tools or resources required to cope with online learning. There needs to be funding available for students who need it to purchase things like computers and other educational tools.'

Last updated: 21 April 2020

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