Changes To Uni Applications & Start Dates On The Horizon

This time of year can feel more than a little rushed. You receive your A-Level grades, an offer from a university, and before you know it, you're packed up and heading off to start a course there.

So, what if university started in January? You might have time to fit in some decent work experience, really think about your uni options, or just take some time away from worrying about your future. Sounds good, right?

This is what new president of the Girls' School Association and Headteacher, Samantha Price, is asking for, believing that the current systems put an unnecessary amount of pressure on students which can impact mental health.

It's not just the timing that Mrs Price believes should be altered, but the way we apply to university too. She's keen on a system where, instead of using predicted grades, students wait to receive their actual A-Level grades before applying to universities.

She's not alone in thinking that the higher education system needs an overhaul either. In fact, the government has been assessing the current admissions process and is likely to suggest some pretty big changes to the timings for applications soon too.

The Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, has also mentioned that he'd like to switch up the process so that uni offers are handed out after A-Level results in order to take the pressure away from achieving an aspirational predicted grade.

We all know there's a bit of wriggle room around predicted grades and they're often questioned for their accuracy too. Should your future uni options really rely on a grade that's not based on exam results? It seems that some believe not.

So, how would actually applying to uni work if offers were made after results day? There are two systems to be considered here; in the first, students still apply during term time, but don't get offered a place at uni until after results day. In the second, students don't apply until after results day and the term start date is pushed back to January.

Price believes that this would be the better option, leaving students time to learn skills outside of a classroom or lecture hall, such as in finance or other work experience.

The real question is whether the current system really is putting too much pressure on students' mental health. Plus, could you cope with waiting even longer for a uni acceptance?

An extra couple of months off does sound pretty incredible. Imagine all that extra time for travelling, parties, and with a fully stocked family fridge...