Pupils told: get your A-levels, then apply for university

Sixth-formers will be allowed to learn their A-level results before applying to university under changes to academic life being backed by the Government.

Charles Clarke, the Secretary of State for Education, is supporting the move in response to the A-level fiasco last year that left thousands of students still hanging on for their results after the university term had started.

Ministers will begin discussions with schools, universities, colleges and exam boards over the next few months to see if they can agree a post-qualifications admissions system for universities and colleges. The favoured option is to introduce a six-term year, with GCSEs and A-levels being taken immediately after Easter – up to two months earlier than at present.

Another option would be pushing back the start of the university year until January.

The new system would be introduced within the next two years. If implemented, it would be another radical change to the education system under Mr Clarke. Earlier this week he announced proposals for universities to be allowed to charge students top-up fees of up to £3,000 a year from 2006.

Today an Independent survey shows for the first time the massive impact the fees will have. The country's former polytechnics are planning to join Britain's leading universities in charging them. Bournemouth, Central England, Hertfordshire and Middlesex all said they would be considering top-up fees.