To think - yes, universities should take state school applicants with lower grades

[Lemiserableoldgimmer]

.. than applicants from private and grammar schools, on the basis that this new research suggests that as a group, state school pupils appear to be more able than private school applicants with identical A level and GCSE grades. More likely to get a good degree, less likely to drop out.

here

What do you think?

Is it? I thought that used to be the point of further education in particular, not tertiary education in general......

"Why should a system be designed for the benefit of those at the bottom (of interest levels, income, intelligence, ambition - take your pick) from themselves? Why can't it be designed in the interests of those in the middle? (Because those at the top will always be okay). "

It is at the moment. I am just advocating evening things up a bit.

I think it's a great idea to help children from less advantaged schools access university. The problem I see with the proposal of accepting lower grades from a particular group of students is that at university you will have two types of students: those who are really struggling because they were accepted with gaps in their knowledge, those who are able to keep up because they schooling was good.

Shouldn't the emphasis be on helping those children who show potential, get those top marks needed?

The end result will be graduates with a low standard of education, UK university being dumbed down, degrees being devalued.

I don't think that anyone is suggesting letting people into university with Es- just Bs instead of As.

Or something like that.

The problem I see with the proposal of accepting lower grades from a particular group of students is that at university you will have two types of students: those who are really struggling because they were accepted with gaps in their knowledge, those who are able to keep up because they schooling was good

Then again, the whole impetus behind this proposal is that state school candidates seem to be better at working and not dropping out etc than those with equally good grades whose schooling was 'good' (ie private).

No it wasn't just private,they were talking about the best state schools too and seemed to infer they included any kids from shite state schools.

Imply - they implied, you inferred. Apologies

If you felt the need to apologise, best not say it in the first place, no?

Sorry,should be concentrating on making tea.From the research said article inferred(concluded) it was any kids from shite state schools.

Do let me know if that too is wrong and post a correction.My brain is now jelly,this is what 10 years out of education does to you.

Thanks Hak.

I think when people suggest dropping grade requirements, they're talking 3 x A, instead of 3 x A*, or BBB instead of AAB - not massive drops that mean the universities take students with big gaps in knowledge.

Aston has just said they are building a new Med School

And it looks like the students who pay full fees will be paying for scholarships for local applicants from deprived backgrounds. :)

No mention of lower entry grades, but I'm guessing that this will be part of the plan.