Minister’s attempt to curb unconditional offers is illegal, say universities

Vice-chancellors argue state interference in student admissions breaches new Higher Education Act

Leading academics are accusing the government of unlawfully threatening their autonomy by trying to curb the use of unconditional offers.

Last month the education secretary, Damian Hinds, accused universities of using “pressure-selling” tactics to woo students. He wrote to 23 universities urging them to stop the “unethical” practice of “conditional unconditional offers” – a guaranteed place regardless of the student’s A-level results on condition they make the university their first choice. He also asked the Office for Students to set up a review of whether university admissions practices are serving students.