Grades drop but university places rise

AS STUDENTS across the country nervously await their exam results universities are struggling to fill the places available. 

Analysts have predicted that the number of top grades achieved will have dropped for the third year running. With even Russell Group universities suffering from an excess of places they may find that they are still able to get into their first choice establishment nonetheless.

Earlier this week Education Secretary Nicky Morgan dismissed concerns over the predicted drop in results.

"What really matters isn’t that numbers rise, but that standards rise. So no matter what the results, there is one important thing to remember.

“Each and every single pupil this year can be confident that the results they worked so hard to achieve represent real achievement – and will give them a better, brighter start in life.”

While the proportion of sixth form leavers entering higher education has increased the diminishing number of 17 and 18 year olds is putting pressure on universities to be more flexible with the entrance grades they will accept.

"Some Russell Group universities may still have places available in some subjects for students who have done better than expected," said the group's director general, Wendy Piatt.

"There may also be places available for highly-qualified students who have narrowly missed out on their first choice."

The view was backed by Nick Foskett, vice-chancellor of Keele University, who told the BBC: "More students are likely to be accepted into their first choice, even if their grades are slightly lower than universities requested."

The continued drop in high level grades is likely to cause concern amongst some in the education establishment. Experts have tried to allay fears by predicting a more stable level of results due to changes in grade inflation imposed by regulatory body Ofqual.

 Prof Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, was reported as saying:

“Ofqual has already concluded that there had been grade inflation in the past.

"Results were not reflected in improvements in understanding of subjects.

“It has attempted to regulate the outcome by looking at prior attainment of the students and this has – in the last two years – brought down performance at the higher grade levels

“The further application of that approach will mean that we are more likely to see a slight drop than an increase in grades this year, but the more likely outcome will be a set of results that are, in fact, very similar to those seen in 2013.”

Despite more opportunities for university places any drop in results is likely to be latched onto by opposition MP's as education becomes a crucial battlefield in the run up to the 2015 General Election.

Results have dropped in recent years from a previous high in 2010 and 2011 of 27 per cent for high grades.