27th January 2020

COLLEGES IN THE NEWS: College applicants outperform grammar school pupils vying for HE degree level places

Higher education applications from college student have seen a steady increase over the last decade, according to UCAS applications data shared in a Times Education Supplement article recently.

The details also reveal that applications from College students have outperformed grammar schools when it comes to the number of successful places offered on degree level programmes.

Julian Gravatt, deputy chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “One in three higher education students started in a college and it’s good to see from Ucas statistics that FE college students have an acceptance rate that has improved and matches those from other routes.”

Bill Watkin, the chief executive of the association of sixth form colleges, reported that the data did not surprise him as it reflects how sixth form programmes are geared to independent study, much like university. It’s through this style of learning that students gain the skills needed to support the university application process.  Mr Watkin went on to say that the data also highlights the quality of teaching and learning and how their particular levels of specialist expertise greatly benefits students.

Read full TES article https://www.tes.com/news/colleges-outstrip-grammar-schools-university-offers