Universities To Reveal Best A-Level Subjects

Universities will be forced to reveal what A-Level subjects are most likely to secure a degee place under Government education reforms.

Admissions tutors will have to tell sixth-formers what options to pick to improve their chances of getting into the best universities.

The move is designed to address concerns that pupils at state schools are put at a disadvantage because they receive less advice about their selections.

It could lead to a drop in so-called "soft" subjects such as media studies, art and drama studies in favour of more traditional ones.

The reforms are set to be outlined in the higher education White Paper, set to be published next week.

Another proposal is to scrap the current system of admission quotas and replace it with a more marketised approach.

In addition, the reforms will tackle the subject of tuition fees, which were recently - and controversially - increased to a maximum of £9,000 a year.

In order to soften the blow, the Government proposes to introduce 'student charters' which will set out what undergraduates can expect to receive in return for their money.

This will highlight exactly what the students will be given in terms of tuition, lectures and use of facilities.

Further, admissions rules could be changed allowing the best universities to recruit as many of the brightest students as they desire.

And also former polytechnics will be able to charge lower fees in order to pave the way for a relaxation of controls on their numbers.

A spokesman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said: "Ensuring students have the right information to make informed decisions when selecting their course and preferred university are key themes that will be discussed in the Governments Higher Education White paper, due to be published shortly.

"The Government's reforms will place students at the heart of the system, looking at the information and guidance available to prospective students on what universities and courses will offer them."