College applications to go electronic

Information technology is to revolutionise the annual university admissions paper-chase, sounding the death-knell for cumbersome prospectuses and application forms.

From this month, prospective students will no longer be forced to wade through mountains of brochures in search of the perfect course.

Instead, they will simply tap their key requirements and expected grades into their school computer and wait for a list of suggestions matching their needs.

In September, they will become the first generation of sixth-formers to be able to apply electronically to their chosen university, swapping traditional standard application forms for an on-screen version.

The advent of technology in admissions will make the often stressful university applications process faster and less open to errors and fraud, according to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

UCAS, which processes 418,400 application forms annually, believes the speed of its on-screen version could also pave the way for a dual applications system, allowing candidates to opt to apply to university after receiving A-level results instead of beforehand using predicted grades.

The interactive Course Search service being launched next month on the Internet is designed to provide a short-cut to suitable courses. Students can narrow down their choices by entering preferred institutions or area of the country, mode of study, course level or entry qualifications. Once a course is selected, pupils can cross-refer at the touch of a button to the web site of the university concerned to discover an on-screen prospectus detailing everything from student numbers to accommodation costs.

The electronic application form, which is to be tested in 35 schools this year, will be modelled on the printed version, though it will be tailored to suit students taking A-levels or vocational GNVQs.

Within a few years, however, UCAS hopes to replace it with a new on-screen "profile of achievement" providing details not only of qualifications and predicted results but a full student curriculum vitae covering achievements in key skills and extra-curricular interests.