University Alliance has raised concerns about proposals to tighten entry requirements to university, which have been recommended in Policy Exchange’s Tarnished Towers report:
“Tightening entry requirements to university would risk shutting the door on capable students who have the talent and potential to succeed in higher education, but whose attainment has been shaped by background, disruption or inequality.
“We should not lose sight of the fact that universities are engines of social mobility and regional growth. Our members see every day how students with non-traditional routes or lower prior attainment, when given the right support, go on to excel in their studies and careers.
“Tightened entry thresholds would therefore disproportionately impact disadvantaged learners, mature students and those from underrepresented communities – the very groups the sector and government have committed to supporting through widening participation initiatives.
“The evidence consistently shows that prior attainment alone is not a reliable predictor of success at university. What matters is the quality of teaching, tailored support, and strong links with employers that help students thrive.
“At a time when the economy needs more high-level skills and regions need stronger pipelines of talent, restricting access in this way would represent a step backwards. Rather than limiting opportunity, the focus should instead be on raising attainment earlier in the education system, improving information, advice and guidance, and supporting students to succeed once they enter higher education.”
ENDS
