Predicted Grades: Another Barrier in Higher Education2 min read

Predicted grades result to be inaccurate and in the worst cases, stop students from disadvantaged backgrounds from applying for the course they want and to an institution of their choice.

The University and College Union are asking admissions to stop using predicted grades, backing their request with research.

As part of their study, they analysed admission systems in other countries and none of them use the British system, proving it to be old, useless and privileging only some.

In a country in which class-identity is so embedded in the culture, Education as well-privileged for many centuries specific groups of people.

It was only in June 1868 that women were allowed to attend Universities; and only in 1873 that Christian Cole became the first Black student to attend Oxford.

There are a lot of stigmas attached to Black people wanting to access further Education, as well as stereotypes around Asian students having to do well in certain subjects rather than others.

In the last week, a hashtag has been spreading on Twitter: #ImmodestWomen collects women reclaiming their Doctor title, tired of being called Miss or Mrs, when no one has a problem to address a man as a Doctor.

Education should be open to everyone and we should stop building barriers against students from disadvantage backgrounds.

Predicted grades does exactly this.

With most students performing better than what they were predicted to achieve, most of them are stopped from attending the University of their choice.

Students at GCSE and A-levels level are not always motivated and able to concentrate that much on their studies.

On top of that, if they face difficulties during their studies, they would be less motivated to do well in their exams.

Especially if coming from a working-class background, a student might be pressured into finding alternatives such as an apprenticeship or try to find a job.

Predicted grades stop students who could do better by the time they start University from actually attending that University altogether.

Of course, there is the Clearing service, but not all courses are available there. And what about courses that have an earlier deadline or few spots available?

The University and College Union wants the application date to be postponed, allowing students to have their final grades by the time they apply and making it fairer for all groups.

UCAS, the organisation dealing with the application process, criticised this as a change in the secondary school system would be needed, making it impossible for students from a disadvantaged background to get support from tutors in applying.

Nonetheless a change needs to take place. Although it’s not clear how, it would definitely have to be huge.