Fears are growing that Northern Ireland pupils could be disadvantaged in the most radical overhaul of university admissions in half a century.

Ucas — the body that administers university admissions — is proposing that by 2016 students apply to higher education institutions after they receive their A-level results.

That would mean exams would have to begin at least 15 days earlier with results being published in early July.

However, the Department of Education here has already voiced concerns as schools in Northern Ireland finish for the summer at the end of June — around two weeks earlier than in England.

A spokeswoman said: “In terms of timescales we need to stay within a national framework as all Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) awarding bodies offer GCSE/GCEs (A-levels) here. For example, there would be issues if GCE results came out at different times.

“Our earlier start to the summer holidays will cause problems as the thinking within these national groups often starts from the English position where the summer holidays don't start until late July.

“We do not wish to see any significant change to when the A-level examinations are taken which could result in significant pressures on schools.”

Both the department and Northern Ireland’s main exams body, CCEA, have also expressed reservations about the impact earlier exams could have on the marking timetable

CCEA marks 75% of the papers sat by Northern Ireland’s 12,000 A-level pupils. It has also received 3,315 requests for remarks for this year’s A-level exams.

A department spokeswoman said: “As the consultation progresses, it would be important that the department and CCEA has an input to the process.

“Equally we do not wish to see the issue of results to candidates being brought forward too much as this could compromise an already pressurised marking timetable.”

A spokesman for JCQ, which represents the main awarding bodies including CCEA, said: “Awarding bodies can see the merits of a system that allows students to apply for university based on actual rather than|predicted results and look forward to participating in the Ucas consultation.

“However, the merits must outweigh any negative consequences, such as shorter teaching time and increased risk to the exam system.”

Story so far

• Students could apply for university after they have received their A-level results, if proposals put forward by admissions services Ucas are |adopted.
• A review of the application system concluded that the current system asks students to make choices about their future before they are ready.
• At present it asks universities to offer places based on predicted grades.