The road ahead for disappointed Bradford students (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

The road ahead for disappointed Bradford students

8:24am Monday 23rd August 2010 in

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Another August, another record-breaking batch of A-level results.

With one-in-12 A-levels awarded the new A* grade, nearly 30 per cent an A grade, and the overall pass rate rising for the 28th year, there’s good reason for ecstatic teenagers to be jumping for joy and waving their results slips in the air.

But with record A-level results comes a record battle for university places.

This is the toughest year for university places for a decade, says UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). A rise in applications and a reduction in places due to funding cuts has led to fierce competition for limited places.

Added to that is the A* grade, introduced this year to challenge the brightest students, which helps universities pick the cream.

While a record number of students are celebrating high grades, many more are left with disappointing results threatening university hopes.

Facing a crossroads can give teenagers chance to consider their future from a wider perspective, says Tricia Farren, service manager for youth support service Connexions Bradford.

Connexions advisers were in schools on A-level results day last week, and will be out again for GCSE results this Thursday. “There’s a big concern about young people who have got the results but haven’t been accepted into the universities of their choice, or have decided they can’t afford to go,” says Tricia.

“We were in schools on results day to provide immediate help, and we have an ongoing service for young people and their families.

“Personal advisers help them look at other options - these can include planning a gap year then re-applying, looking at apprenticeships or the employment market, or revisiting career plans. We look at colleges too – Bradford and Keighley colleges offer good degree courses. It’s about looking at the wider picture.”

She adds: “We help young people to keep their motivation. If they don’t get the results they need there’s a tendency to panic and take the knee-jerk option of the clearing system, but this can mean going to a university they don’t really want to be at, or doing a course that doesn’t suit them, which can lead to dropping out. We advise young people to think it through and consider options.”

Professor Geoff Layer, deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Bradford, advises young people to make sure the course they decide on is the right one for them.

The university is currently evaluating how many places it is losing. Estimates earlier this year suggested at least 200 places would go, but an extra 255 places in science, technology, engineering and maths courses, recently awarded by the Government, are available through clearing.

Professor Layer said: “We have had ten years of seeking to expand the higher education system and to encourage young people that higher education is a route to fulfil significant careers, and we have now got the situation where the number of places in higher education and universities have been reduced through financial necessity so that significant numbers of highly-qualified, committed individuals may not have a place of their choice.

“If you’re not able to secure the place you wish, look around at other alternatives at that institution and at other universities and make sure the course you decide to go on is one you want to do, you have an interest in and you can commit to.”

University isn’t the right path for all school-leavers but, with a recession-hit jobs market and high numbers of graduates facing unemployment, many may choose to stay in education rather than face the scary prospect of seeking work straight from school.

“There is an element of that,” says Tricia. “If they go to university, even though they may end up with a £25,000 debt, they can increase their earning over their lifetime. But going into work after school may be a better option. Going through the A-level system can be all-consuming academia, but we open up vocational opportunities too.” * Bradford Connexions Centre is at 29 Cheapside, Bradford. Ring (01274) 377800. Keighley Connexions Centre is at 79 Low Street, Keighley. Ring (01535) 618100. The Bradford College Clearing Helpline is (01274) 433333 and the Bradford University Clearing Helpline is 0800 0731225.