Doubt has been cast over the claim that students must take three A levels in the so-called “facilitating subjects” in order to get into Russell Group universities.
New research has found that students are gaining entry to elite universities with A levels that include drama, art and design and economics, rather than subjects from the rigid list of nine “preferred subjects” drawn up by the Russell Group.
The study casts doubt on government claims that to get into elite institutions, applicants should present three top grades from the list of “facilitating” subjects which are deemed more desirable than other options.
Ministers have even introduced a performance measure in school league tables this year based on how many pupils take three A levels in facilitating subjects and the proportion who score grades AAB or higher in these subjects.
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