Tuition costs will change attitudes to college

The tuition fee increase is responsible for the huge spike in applications this year, but it's important to look beyond that.

The more realistic level of fees is going to cause young people to think more seriously about their futures, and the part university can play in that. That may mean that the size of the university system becomes self-determining.

In the past, university has been seen as a rite of passage. The course and the university in themselves have not been thought to be that important. But if you are having to back yourself to the extent of £9,000 a year, you are going to think more seriously about what a course is going to do for your future.

I think it will sharpen up and improve the quality of higher education. It will respond to the combined wishes of the students rather than reflect what the politicians and the academics think they should want.

Since 15 universities are asking for A* grades, it may well be that young people who have done very well nevertheless miss out.

It looks as though the examiners were a bit surprised how many A*s were awarded last year, and have kept the same level - although considering those 15 universities, you would have thought extra effort would have gone in to try to get them. The actual pass rates are decided by the examiners, and it looks as though the fact they are steadily rising is something they are comfortable with. Students are working harder, and are more practised at examinations. Also, the structure of the exam has changed, from an end-of-course exam to six units, so exams are taken in smaller bites.

The exams to a large extent have rewarded hard work. But it looks as though hard work alone is not enough to get an A*. Here you need talent as well as application. This shows that A*s are working.

Professor Alan Smithers is director of the centre for education at Buckingham University