MONMOUTH MP David Davies is warning sixth form students to be on their guard against a university’s ‘confusing’ approach to the Welsh Baccalaureate.
In May, Mr Davies was contacted by a sixth-former at Croesyceiliog School. The student, wanting to study history and politics at Cardiff University, was initially told the Welsh Bac was worth the equivalent of an A grade at A-Level. With crucial exams approaching, he was subsequently informed that the qualification is only worth 100 points for the course he’s applying for – the equivalent of a B grade.
In a letter to Mr Davies, Cardiff’s Vice-Chancellor Dr David Grant admitted each department adheres to different rules and announced the university had commissioned external research into the matter.
“While it’s a small step forward, I have the feeling this “research” is going to take some time,” said Mr Davies.
“The whole situation is totally unacceptable. When the Welsh Bac was first introduced, we were told it would be accepted universally at UK universities as the equivalent of an A grade at A-Level, but clearly that is not even so in the Welsh capital. This shambles should have been resolved before the qualification was launched. Students are working extremely hard to pass exams in a competitive world and I hope the position is clarified very soon.
“In the meantime, I would urge anyone applying for courses at Cardiff University to double check very carefully with the relevant department how many points the Welsh Bac is worth.
“I have also written to every comprehensive school in my constituency to suggest they may want to urge Cardiff University and other bodies to take immediate action for the sake of all sixth-formers studying the Welsh Bac.”