Universities welcome change in A-level focus

Plans to make A-levels tougher by limiting resits and putting more focus on end-of-year exams were welcomed by universities.

The exams regulator Ofqual is to publish a consultation paper on the future of the exam. It also recommends that university academics should "sign off" papers.

The Russell Group of 20 top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, backed the proposals, saying current maths and English papers were far too easy.

Wendy Piatt, the director-general of the Russell Group, said: "Maths A-level poses particular problems. Some modules are just not challenging enough to equip students not only to do a maths degree but also to go on to degrees in engineering and physics."