Provisional entry for sixth-formers

Press, 1 June 1985, Page 7

Provisional entry for sixth-formers

PA Wellington Procedures for admitting sixth-formers to university straight from school once the university entrance examination is gone have been approved by the Universities Entrance Board. Sixth-formers, who from next year will receive only a Sixth Form Certificate, will be able to apply for provisional entry to a university, said the board’s chairman, Professor David Hall. Each university would be delegated authority by the board to consider applications, and entry would be approved for a particular course of study. Last year, about 809 sixth-formers went to university straight from school, and another 2000 with only sixth-form qualification took up university study after a period away from school. However, the bulk of firstyear students, about 9000, entered university from the seventh form. Professor Hall said the board expected those numbers would stay much the -same once U.E. was gone. However, the provisional entrance procedures for sixth-formers would come into effect next year, and Professor Hall said it was likely they would increase

and improve their chance ol success at university. “We hope that we car discourage, or get into a better course of action, those who are not really suited to going to university at that stage,” he said. Professor Hall said universities considering applications for provisional entry would have to take into account the advice of the school principal, or in the case of someone who had been away from school for several years, the advice of an employer or appropriate referees; and the advice and guidance of the university liaison officer; the academic success of the student, measured by the Sixth Form Certificate or some other award; the suitability of the applicant for a particular course of study; and the maturity and approach of the student, and other factors likely to affect success at university. Professor Hall said the board had also formally resolved that there would be no U.E. examination from next year in line with the Government’s policy. “But this was also a step which is consistent with the views of the Universities Entrance Board over some years,” he said. 0