While applauding UCAS for developing the new tariff project, there is a significant omission. Access courses, taken by many mature students preparing themselves for entry to higher education, are not included in the tariff.
It is true that many universities have close links with the access courses offered in their local colleges. However, it is a pity that the opportunity was not taken to tariff-rate all pre-higher education entry routes. Given the clear government push to widen participation in higher education, it seems likely that more students could opt to take access courses in the future and their omission from the national tariff rate will look increasingly odd.
Perhaps UCAS will address this fairly swiftly?
Carole Williams Swardeston, Norwich