Universities could face fines for offering high number of degree places regardless of exam grades, regulator warns

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. An indiscriminate use of unconditional offers with “strings attached” is akin to pressure selling and could put universities in breach of consumer law, the Office for Students has said. Mr Hinds said: “The steep rise in unconditional offers across a wide range of subjects is disturbing, and I believe that widespread use of these offers is not in the best interests of students, who should be encouraged to reach their full potential.” He added: “What I find particularly concerning is the OfS’s finding of how many of those accepting unconditional offers then miss their predicted A-level grades, because if university didn’t work out for that student it is those A-level grades they would fall back on. “That’s why I am urging universities to use their offers responsibly and not just use unconditional offers to get students through the door.” The research also shows that applicants from areas with the lowest higher education participation rates are more likely to receive an unconditional offer than their peers – as they are applying to universities which offer more places on degree courses regardless of A-level grades. “While initial evidence suggests that some students with unconditional offers achieve below their predicted A-level grades, these offers are also more likely to be made to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds, and can impact positively on these individuals’ mindsets as they approach life at university.” The spokesperson added: “We will explore with Ucas if there is more we can do as a sector to promote good practice and ensure the admissions system continues to work in the best interests of students.”