The Scottish Conservatives have raised concerns at reported changes to the central system for those applying to go to university or college.
There are fears that the Universities and College Admissions Service (UCAS) is looking at proposals where Scottish pupils would be forced to wait until they receive their actual exam results before applying for a course.
Current arrangements allow for pupils to apply to university or college based on anticipated exam results.
Pupils could be forced to wait until they get exam results before applying for further education courses Photo:Gabriel Pollard
Scottish Conservative Education spokesperson Liz Smith said: “Whilst I can understand the reasons for some minor reforms to improve the efficiency of UCAS, these must only happen if there is a cast iron guarantee that the changes will provide a level-playing field for all applicants.
“The current proposals for 2016 look set to disadvantage some pupils – especially those in Scotland for whom there is a different academic timetable – and that would be an unacceptable state of affairs.
“I urge the UCAS authorities to re-consider and re-engage with the universities and university groups which have spoken out so strongly.
“Access to our universities must be based on academic merit. There must be no discrimination against potential students just because of their background or location within the UK.”
