PLANS to allow students to apply to university after getting their A level results have been welcomed in principle by education bosses.

But concerns have been raised over how the proposed system would operate.

The government wants to reform the current university admission procedure whereby students apply to universities before sitting their exams. At the moment, university bosses decide whether to offer students places based on predicted grades.

The proposed system would effectively end "clearing" where students who did not achieve their expected grades, have to spend a fraught period applying to universities with spare places. Roy Whittle, Principal of Bolton Sixth Form College said: "I think it will enable students to make more sensible applications to different types of University. It works both ways.

"Some of our students are slightly over ambitious at times and equally some are under ambitious. Some youngsters come out with much better results than they expected so could have successfully applied to a top university.

Mr Whittle said if the plans were to work successfully students would need more time between getting their results and starting university. He said he anticipated that either the college term time or the start of the university year would have to be changed, or the results would have to be published earlier.

The Principal raised concerns that students may not have access to the same level of advice, if they are applying to go to university during the college holidays.

Katherine Wilkes, President of Bolton Institute Students Union said: "I agree with it in principle but I don't know how they would make it work. I've heard they would bring A level exams forward, that would mean in April, which is the time people sit their mocks at the moment."