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Law and psychology admissions tutors' perspectives of how A-levels prepare students for university study

By Anthony Daly

Abstract

With August comes the annual and often frenzied media coverage of examination results and inevitable conclusions drawn about (typically falling) educational standards (see Billington, 2006). Regardless of whether such conclusions are justified, or justifiable, debate continues throughout the year in the general media over the perceived utility and worth of current A-level qualifications in particular (e.g., Asthana, 2007; Paton, 2007), or education standards in general (e.g., Iggulden, 2006).

Notwithstanding the contribution of the media, there has been some credible research undertaken which has found there to be a widely-held perception that current A-levels may be of questionable benefit in preparing students for studying at university (Association of Colleges, 2006).

This paper appraises that research and describes a study that was conducted to ascertain the extent to which Higher Education Admissions Tutors for Law and Psychology Bachelor degrees considered A-levels prepared students for university study. Results of the present study indicated that the majority of admissions tutors agreed that a range of GCE subjects, to varying degrees, adequately prepared students for study at university.

How to cite

Daly, A (2007). Law and psychology admissions tutors’ perspectives of how A-levels prepare students for university study, Manchester: AQA Centre for Education Research and Policy.

Keywords

• Attainment