It has been a tough and turbulent time for all school pupils but many anticipating their A Level results last week were met with disappointment and confusion after the government’s exam algorithm provided controversial and unpredictable results.

It had been reported that 40% of England’s teenagers were set to appeal their grades, and the University of Bedfordshire had already amended its offer-making policy, where predicted grades would be considered if prospective students had been downgraded by the algorithm.

In light of the public uproar, the UK government announced on Monday afternoon (17^th August) that the algorithm allocated grades will be scrapped and instead teachers’ predicted grades will be honoured.

Bob Cozens, Director of Admissions & Student Recruitment at Bedfordshire, said: “We commend the government’s decision to listen to the public and retract the algorithm’s results for A Levels and ahead of this week’s GCSE results.

“At the University of Bedfordshire, supporting students is our number one priority so we had already proactively chosen to make verbal offers based on applicants’ mock exam results or their teacher predicted grades, with places held open for any pupils going through the appeals process.

“However, any students who may still feel uncertain about their choices, we encourage you to contact our admissions team now to discuss the options available to you. This year we will still consider all aspects of your application, including wider experience when evaluating your potential to succeed.”

The University’s initial day of Clearing (13^th August 2020) saw contact from over 2,500 applicants via telephone and its live chat function, with a high level of calls received by the Clearing and Admissions support lines between 7am – 8pm. Hundreds more students engaged with the Clearing team via social media, the chatroom and by submitting application forms directly through Bedfordshire’s website.

Due to the disruption of the pandemic, understandably many students may now be rethinking their application, study options and university experience. However, Bob Cozens urges students to stand their ground as 2020 is still a great time to pursue Higher Education: “Bedfordshire has a proud history of widening access to higher education and supporting students to achieve their potential. Students considering going to University this autumn should do so with confidence and the disruption of Covid-19 should not be a reason to put your learning journey on hold.

“At the University of Bedfordshire, we have worked hard to ensure we have Covid-secure campuses so that students can still have an on-campus experience, in which they will get a range of face-to-face teaching and quality on-line teaching materials, as part of our blended learning offering.”

David Seaton, Assistant Director of Admissions & Student Recruitment, added: “My advice to applicants is to consider the long term situation. By starting Higher Education now you will be on the path to a graduate level job. Also, with the national employment market for 16-24 year olds turbulent due to Covid-19, and with the current travel restrictions in place, applicants need to consider very carefully what they would do with a gap year. 

“If you have plans to make the most of your year out and can come back to your university application next year with an enhanced CV then delaying your entry could be worth doing. The truth though is that it’s now harder than ever to set up a career boosting gap year experience, so for most potential students deferment to avoid Covid-19’s impact on their university experience is not a good idea.”

The University of Bedfordshire’s key message to applicants at the moment is simply: "Don’t panic."

There are lots of course opportunities still available across a number of popular and inspiring subject areas, including Nursing, Education, Art & Design, Media, Law, Psychology, Engineering, Sport and Computing.

A full list of available courses can be explored online 24/7 and the team can be reached on 0300 3300 703: www.beds.ac.uk/clearing

📻Did you catch @MrsMEveritt from @uniofbeds @ubcareers on @BBCR1 yesterday? She gave advice to listeners on the #LifeHacks show with @celspellman @KatieThistleton following #AlevelResults #Clearing2020 📝

⏯️Listen back to the Exam special via @BBCSounds https://t.co/fayXlEDJz2

— University of Bedfordshire News (@uniofbedsnews) August 17, 2020