Leeds University has come under fire for suggesting in an email that attendance at “applicant days” could be taken into consideration should a potential student fail to achieve the grades they need to get onto their course.
An excerpt from an email sent by the University of Leeds to a Year 13 pupil at a school within the United Learning academy chain reads: “This is very informal — as you already have your offer – but positive feedback regarding your input on the [visit] day may be taken into account if you fall short of the grades required for entry on to the course in August.”
The email has received criticism from the academy chain, the deputy director, Stephen Adcock outlining a number of issues: “This feels like a creeping attempt by universities to try to win the loyalty of students. But in trying to win loyalty . . . it distracts from more pressing issues. If they are going to go to university they need to work hard on their studies.”
Mr Adcock went on to say “I don’t think many schools would be happy for students to be missing a day from their studies, at a crucial time of the year, to visit a university for which they have already got a place.”
Furthermore, he argues that universities requiring additional visits in return for increased chances of acceptance also highlights issues surrounding social mobility. He said “Pupils may not be able to afford to go to Leeds for a day. It is a huge expense, especially for those from a low-income family. An off-peak return fare from London King’s Cross to Leeds next week, for example, would cost £103, or £68.20 with a young person’s railcard – which costs £30, so it is unreasonable to expect families on low incomes to pay this amount of money for ‘positive feedback’”.
Lisa Summers, head of admissions at the University of Leeds, said: “We are committed to delivering a consistent, transparent and fair admissions process. Although the university highlights the benefits of attending applicant visit days, these are by no means mandatory and applicants will not be detrimentally affected by an inability to attend, regardless of reason.”
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Lydia McMath