Fifteen universities ask for A*s
- Nov. 22, 2010
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Keywords:
- a*
- fifteen
- universities
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The number of universities requiring students to achieve A* grades in their A-levels has tripled to fifteen, after fears that the grade is being used by universities to enhance their prestige.
The fifteen universities, including Cambridge and Durham, are expecting candidates to achieve at least one of the new A*s for their most popular courses next summer.
Vice-chancellors had agreed with the government that the new grades would not be incorporated into offers until 2012, to avoid prejudicing against state school pupils.
Cambridge and Imperial College, however, were among five institutions last year that abandoned the deal and have begun to incorporate the A* grade into their offers.
This year, another ten institutions have included the new grade in their offers, including Exeter, Durham, Manchester and London School of Economics.
Vice-Chancellors hope that making their entry requirements more exclusive will explain why students will be charged up to £9,000 a year for their most popular courses.
Anthony McClaren, former head of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service who oversaw the introduction of the A*, said the grades required by universities could be “related to the perceived prestige of the institution or course” as well as the difficulty of the course.
The highest standard offer in the country is now thought to be A*, A*, A*, to study maths at Imperial College, London.
Nevertheless, a record 1 in 12 exams were given an A* grade this year.
