AQW 18891/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 14/05/2021
Answered On Date: 28/05/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) for her assessment of concerns that due to decisions on providing predicted grades for A-level courses for this year, students seeking to move into higher education through access to higher education courses are at a disadvantage, compared to students undertaking A-levels; and (ii) what action she is taking to ensure fairness amongst all prospective higher education students.

Answer:

An offer of a place in higher education is often made based on predicted grades at the point of application and before results are known. This applies equally for applicants on Access courses and A-level courses. When results are published, those who fulfil their offer of a place are admitted.

As autonomous bodies, universities are responsible for their own policies and procedures on admissions. No additional action is necessary to ensure fairness, as Access students will be treated in the same way as other Level 3 applicants in the 2021 admissions cycle.