Exam results 'could be ignored'

A leading vice-chancellor today raised fears that universities are being encouraged to take students from poorer backgrounds regardless of exam results.

Professor Malcolm Grant, Provost of University College London, said he believed Government pressure would mount to admit disadvantaged applicants at the expense of students with better qualifications.

He urged MPs to demand tighter controls on the Office For Fair Access (Offa), which will be able to fine universities up to £500,000 if they do too little to "widen access". It could also stop colleges increasing tuition fees up to the £3,000 limit proposed by the Government.

"My great fear is Offa will come to be used as the Government's admissions machine and the impact of its work will be measured by the change in the student profile of our universities," said Professor Grant.

"The danger is it will undermine our main work, which is to attract students who are bright and have the capacity to benefit from higher education."

He is the first senior figure to speak out since draft regulations governing Offa were published this week. But other vice-chancellors

also thought to be worried Offa could undermine their autonomy over admissions.

They are aware the Government is determined to hit its target of making sure half of young people have had experience of higher education by 2010.

To achieve this, places must be found for thousands more students from poorer families, and from schools with no tradition of university success.

The Government says Offa will simply monitor how successfully universities encourage young people from these groups to apply, and decisions on admission would be up to universities themselves.

Offa would reach "access agreements" with insitutions on steps to widen access, such as "outreach activities" to attract disadvantaged teenagers, and financial support while they learn.

A senior Government source said: "Access agreements are not about dictating admissions poliarecies. Offa will not have any powers over university admissions."

Professor Grant pointed out: "The regulations and draft letter of statutory guidance to the head of Offa do not say Offa will have no remit over admissions. It is essential this guarantee is written in."

But the Government source said the regulations were there precisely to to describe the remit of the organisation.