Young people think exam cancellations will damage university chances

Almost half (48%) of university applicants think that the coronavirus crisis will have a negative impact on their chances of getting into their first-choice university, according to new research by the Sutton Trust.

The research looked at how the coronavirus crisis is affecting both university applicants and current students.

The concern amongst young people is likely to stem from changes to how grades will be awarded this year, as well as uncertainty around this year’s university admissions process, such as a potential cap of places. Almost a fifth (19%) of applicants have changed their mind on going to university or are now uncertain about whether to go.

When asked how they thought predicted grading would affect them, over two-fifths (43%) of university applicants thought they would have a negative impact on their A level grades. While most university applicants feel that the impact will be small, almost three-quarters (72%) think that the new grading system is less fair than how A-level grades are usually awarded.

Applicants were also asked about their access to learning, resources and technology in the period since sixth forms and colleges closed. Young people reported that many schools are not teaching  content following A level exam cancellations, with a quarter of applicants overall reporting they are not receiving any work from their schools. However, students at private schools were almost twice as likely to be regularly completing work and receiving feedback than those in state schools (57% v 30%).

The report makes a series of recommendations, including a call to make sure the new grading system is as fair as possible, and for Ofqual to monitor any attainment gaps and consider adjustments if necessary.

It also says that if a cap on places is introduced, they need to be carefully implemented to minimise the impact on disadvantaged students, the report says.