A-levels news: Government-backed gap years for students who missed university places this year

Universities minister signals ‘range of opportunities for development’ for pupils

The government is to set up schemes for students who have to defer their university place following this year's chaotic awarding of A-level grades.

The universities minister Michelle Donelan said she had been working to "make available a range of opportunities for development" for those who end up having to take a gap year.

After a government U-turn meant A-level students could take their teacher-estimated grades if higher than moderated marks, universities warned those who had met their offer they may be asked to defer, if there was no longer space on their preferred course.

A new grading system was set up this year after exams were cancelled due to coronavirus.

Ms Donelan wrote in The Telegraph that both universities and herself "want to keep the number of students deferring to a minimum".

"I am sure, however, that those who do defer will have concerns about the options available to them for the next year," she said.

"I want these students to know that I have been working across government and with the higher education sector to make available a range of opportunities for development that will provide young people with an additional string to their bow."

Ms Donelan said information on the available options would be shared "shortly".

The Department for Education has been approached by The Independent over what these gap year schemes could entail.

Around 15,000 people who were originally turned down by their first-choice university with their calculated A-level grades met their offer after they were allowed to take their teacher-submitted ones, Ucas data revealed.

Universities were told they would be given extra funding to help increase capacity on a number of courses after warning they had limited space for students who saw their results increase.

However, leading institutions warned eligible students may be asked to defer if they do not have the space.

Additional reporting by Press Association