In an Ofqual report summarising responses to a consultation on proposed exam reform, published on 9 November, several major doubts about possible changes are raised by universities.

Michael Gove, the education secretary, had wanted universities - particularly those in the Russell Group - to design new A-level curricula.

The Ofqual report, titled ¡®Impact assessment of A-level reforms¡¯, says all higher education institutions raised concerns over plans for each A-level to require support from at least 20 universities, including 12 who are ¡°respected¡± in that particular subject.

This condition posed a ¡°significant resource implication on their organisation¡±, universities claim.

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¡°A few staff would be required to take a significant time out of their work to review A-levels¡±, the report says.

¡°This could potentially replace the time they spend on other HEI [higher education institution] activities, such as research and teaching.

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¡°As things stand at present, this time would not be recognised in the Research Assessment Exercises that influence HEI funding.¡±

Others criticised the proposed system as too bureaucratic, saying it would become an ¡°administrative burden¡±.

¡°Some stakeholders also suggested that the current expectation of 20 universities that are required to support an A-level qualification is too high,¡± the Ofqual report says.

Some universities also felt ¡°the current target of 20 universities would not be workable for some subjects,¡± the report adds.

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¡°For example, in Physics there are only 35 university departments, and therefore it would be unreasonable to expect these universities to work with all five [awarding organisations ¨C ie, exam boards].¡±

Other concerns raised by higher education institutions include the ¡°potential risk that HEI endorsement could distort the market¡± and create a ¡°two-tier system¡± of exams.

¡°Providers and students might be swayed in their choice of exam board by the universities providing the endorsement.

¡°This could potentially create a two-tier system with a greater value given to qualifications endorsed by universities, such as Oxford or Cambridge¡±, the report says.

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jack.grove@tsleducation.com