UK universities make record number of unconditional offers

By ITS Education Asia

UK universities made a record number of unconditional offers to 18-year-olds this year in what has been described by critics as a “frenetic scramble to put bums on seats,” despite pressure from government to cut out “unethical” practices.

Conditional unconditional offers were condemned as “unethical” by former education secretary Damian Hinds, who earlier this year accused universities of adopting pressure-selling tactics that back students into a corner. Although students report feeling less stressed if they have an unconditional firm offer, latest UCAS analysis shows they are more likely to miss their predicted grades.

Other details revealed by the latest UCAS figures include:

• The entry rate gap between the most and least advantaged students to the most selective universities narrowed by 8% in 2019.
• There has been an increase of almost 20% in students with a declared mental health condition.
• The number of Chinese students accepted on courses at UK higher education institutions has gone up by 22%.

What do you think? Are unconditional offers a bad idea?