2 June 2007
Number of University Places Increased for Dragon Year Cohort
- I refer to The Straits Times report “More making it to university over the years: MOE” (31/5).
- The report gave the impression that there were contradictions between the Ministry of Education (MOE)'s position on the university places provided for the Academic Year 2007 cohort, and the explanations that the universities gave The Straits Times. This is not the case.
- The provision of university places to meet increased demand and number of applications made are related but separate issues. The larger Dragon year cohort has indeed resulted in an increase in the absolute number of applications made to the universities. With each university having its separate admission exercise, students can choose to apply to all 3 universities. The total number of university applications will therefore be multiples of the places available, especially for popular courses. The universities have rightly pointed out that the rise in the number of applications is in part due to the Dragon year cohort, and also the popularity of their courses.
- The universities have also observed an increase in quality of applications received, especially in popular courses. Owing to the larger Dragon year cohort, the absolute number of quality applications would increase, although there is little change in the average A-level performance of the overall cohort. Students who have done well are also likely to have more choices and will choose to make multiple applications to (as well as receive multiple offers from) the universities. The increase in the quality of applications received by the universities is therefore not due to better overall A-level performance.
- MOE has explained that the number of university places has been significantly increased over the years, and the universities are making more places available to meet demand from the larger Dragon year cohort. We will continue to increase the number of university places, towards the target of providing subsidised university opportunities for 25% of the cohort.
Perry Lim
Director, Higher Education
Ministry of Education
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