Baccalaureate may become route to top universities

Last updated at 15:48 17 August 2006


Elite universities could demand that teenagers take continental-style diplomas instead of A-levels in future because so many pupils now get As, according to teachers.

This year nearly a quarter of grades awarded at A-level - 24.1 per cent - were As as the pass rate continued to rise.

Steve Sinnott, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, congratulated students on their success but warned that A-levels were struggling to distinguish between the best candidates.

Increasing numbers of schools are switching to the International Baccalaureate diploma instead of A-levels because it is seen as a more demanding qualification.

Mr Sinnott said: "We could in the long term see Baccalaureate for the elite universities and then the specialist diploma (for the rest).

"The comprehensive approach that A-levels currently represent could be seriously undermined.

"We could have two routes going in different directions - specialist diplomas in one direction, baccalaureates in the other.

"The hope that somehow you can amalgamate and integrate vocational and academic approaches will get even further away."

Mr Sinnott's warning came after a survey of university admissions tutors found the majority thought the International Baccalaureate represented a better preparation for degree courses than A-Levels.

Four out of 10 admissions officers said the rising pass rates were down to the exams system "getting easier".

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