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Dept for Education and Skills

Answer

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will ensure equal status for A levels in minority ethnic community languages with European modern languages in university admissions criteria; and if she will make a statement. [207936] Mr. Stephen Twigg: Higher education institutions are responsible for their own admissions policies and practices. Universities and colleges take into account a range of factors in determining the suitability of a particular applicant, and we have no evidence that, within that assessment, A level qualifications in minority ethnic community languages are considered to be of any less value than European modern languages. The Government's position is that applicants, parents, teachers and other stakeholders should have confidence that higher education admissions systems are fair. The recently completed review of admissions led by Professor Steven Schwartz concluded that they are generally fair. Professor Schwartz has though set out a series of high level principles as a basis for fair admissions which we hope that all universities and colleges will take steps to adopt as they review and develop their own admissions policies, practices and systems.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

207936; 429 c818-9W;429 c822-3W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Admissions Languages Higher education Ethnic groups Minority groups Universities GCE A-level

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk