Harder than ever to get to university

STUDENTS TAKING their A-levels this week will need grades up to twice as good as their counterparts in the 1970s to gain a place at university, according to a new guide.

In some cases universities are asking applicants for three As and Bs where they would have asked for just two Cs 30 years ago.

The increase in grades required for some subjects almost doubles the number of points required on the A-level scoring system devised by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

Physics students were asked for an average of just two Cs at A-level in 1970; today universities want anything from CCC to BBB. Applicants for medicine were asked to get an average three Cs in 1970, compared with today when offers range from ABB to straight As.

The remarkable rise in university entrance requirements is outlined by the author Brian Heap, who has been compiling degree course offers for 30 years. His latest book, a 620-page guide to offers for entry to university in 2000, was published yesterday.

Applicants asked for interviews are also subjected to intense questioning, according to the book, Degree Course Offers 2000. One student hoping to study history was asked to outline the similarities between Oliver Cromwell and Mussolini, while politics applicants were asked to define capitalism and outline the job of a spin- doctor. Questions for students seeking entry to business courses included advising supermarkets on improving customer relations.

Vice-chancellors and teachers said the figures were proof that the standard of A-level candidates was as high as ever.

In 1970, the A-level pass rate was 68.6 per cent, compared with 88.2 per cent last year.

Educationalists believe the annual rise in A-level pass rates over recent years is due to the huge expansion of higher education and increasing competition for popular courses at well-known universities.

In 1968, 110,000 students applied to university, with about 54,000 gaining a place. Last year applications to university - now including the former polytechnics - totalled 446,000 and nearly 330,000 gained a place.

Professor Martin Harris is vice-chancellor of Manchester University and chairs the Com-mittee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals. He said: "This proves just how hard students have to work to get into popular courses at popular institutions, although of course A-level grades are not the only indicator that people are suitable to follow a university degree.

"Students who achieve these A-level grades are at least as good as their predecessors 30 years ago, maybe better."

Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Liverpool University, said: "It does give the lie to the fact that doing A-levels is getting easier. Actually it's getting tougher."

Making The Grade

Course 1970 average offer 2000 average offer

Aeronautical

Engineering BC-CC-DD AAB-BBC

Classics CC BBC-BCC

Dentistry EEE-DDD AAB-ABB

English BCC ABB-BBC

Mathematics CCC-BC ABB-BCC

Medicine CCC AAA-ABB

Pharmacy DDD-EEE ABB-BCC

Physics CC BBC-CCC

Politics CCC BBB

Veterinary

Science BBC AAA-AAB

Source: Degree Course Offers 1970 and 2000