Responding to this morning’s results for students studying A
levels and other equivalent qualifications, OfS Chair Lord
Wharton said:
“Students have worked incredibly hard under continually trying
circumstances. I congratulate them on their well deserved results
today.
“This will be an exciting time for hundreds of thousands of
students as they prepare to head off to university this autumn.
While record numbers of students will have secured a place on
their first choice course, other students will be spending the
coming days finding the right course for them. Many courses will
have places made available through Clearing, while the Discover
Uni website lets students compare courses to see what is right
for them. Others may consider alternative routes such as
apprenticeships.
“This is another unusual admissions year for universities, but
they must still honour the places of students who meet the terms
of their offer. I have been clear that it is not acceptable for
universities to put pressure on students to defer their course,
or to take up a place on a different course. Incentives can be
offered, but students need to be treated fairly at all times –
with universities recognising that they must honour offers for
students who wish to accept them. Universities need also to
recognise the continuing commitments they have made in their
access and participation plans, ensuring that everyone with the
ability to excel in higher education has the opportunity to do
so.
“The OfS warned universities and colleges in March not to risk
the quality of higher education by overrecruiting to courses.
When the new term starts they must make sure that students have
access to high quality, well resourced provision which is
academically stretching and opens students’ minds to new ideas.
The OfS is currently consulting on new proposals which would give
us sharper tools to take action where the quality of courses
slips.
“With coronavirus restrictions removed, universities are now free
to return to in-person teaching and they should have credible
plans for this to be restored. Universities will be making
sensible contingency plans for the possibility of further
restrictions and they will want to build on some of the
innovations that have served students well during the pandemic.
Where some universities plan a mix of in-person and online
learning, the OfS’ primary concern will continue to be around
course quality and we are clear that – however teaching is
delivered – students should receive a good quality experience of
higher education. In making decisions about how provision will be
delivered, universities and colleges must ensure that they keep
students properly informed. They should take into account the
views of their students when making decisions about how courses
are taught.”
