Alert ‘a year ago’ on drop in student figures

Ucas, the organisation which manages applications to higher education, sounded the alert over the AAB system, according to documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by Times Higher Education.

Concern has been mounting over a shortfall in the number of undergraduates entering higher education this year.

Last Friday Ucas published figures showing a 14% fall in the number of UK and European Union students taking up places in institutions in England for 2012-13 entry compared with the same point last year.

It is reported that the loss of income could cost the sector about £1.3bn over three years.

The data also showed that 79,200 students achieved AAB grades or higher in A-level and equivalent qualifications: the predicted total was 85,000.

That leaves several of the most selective universities facing significant student shortfalls under the system, introduced by the Government to allow recruitment of any student scoring AAB or equivalent. From next year, the threshhold will be an A and two Bs.

The numbers shortfall is thought to have been fuelled by fewer students than expected achieving top grades and the tripling of tuition fees to a maximum of £9,000.