Increased university applications to avoid top up fees deny future doctor a chance. (Totnes & Brixham Liberal Democrats)

Totnes & Brixham Liberal Democrats <info@totneslibdems.org.uk>

Increased university applications to avoid top up fees deny future doctor a chance.

March 8, 2004 12:00 AM

The predicted rise in university applications as students try to beat top up fees has happened and is making life very hard for the current crop of applicants. Students who would normally take a gap year are deciding to go straight to university to avoid top up fees. This has seriously affected the chances of some students, in particular one from Kingsbridge Community College who desperately wants to study medicine but cannot get a place. With 10 GCSEs, 4 with A* and 6 As, 3 grade A AS levels and a prediction of 3 As at A- level this student has had 4 rejections without interview. Combine this with excellent references, work experience in hospitals, a host of extra curricular activities and a determination to succeed as a doctor and you have someone who should be given a chance.

Principal of Kingsbridge Community College, Roger Pope, contacted Cardiff University to find out the reason for their refusal and was told:

' Applications have increased by 27% this year. We grade applications according to 6 criteria and in any previous year this student would have passed though to the interview stage.'

Commenting on the situation Roger Pope said:

' You wonder what people have to do to get accepted these days - here we have someone who is desperate to be a doctor, who cannot get better exam results, has excellent references and personal profile, but cannot even get an interview. The rush to start university before tuition fees are implemented has obviously made the situation far worse. One has to question a system that denies gifted people access to desperately short staffed professions.'

Totnes Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, Mike Treleaven , said:

' This is an appalling situation. The Government is steam rolling its bill on top up fees through the House of Commons with little thought of the immediate consequences, let alone what will happen when students have to pay the fees. It does not take much common sense to realise that students are going to do their best to avoid incurring the huge debts these fees will impose. The huge rise in university applications this year was inevitable and is preventing able students from realising their ambitions. The Government should be ashamed!'