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Bath University is setting up a national database at a cost of Pounds 300,000 for tracking the progress of vocational A-level students in higher education.

More than 6,000 students completing the advanced general national vocational qualification secured places on higher education courses last year. According to figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, most universities have former GNVQ students on their courses, with some taking over 100 on to a broad range of degree programmes.

The Bath database, coordinated by the university's management school, will be used to chart the progress of GNVQ students through degree programmes, as well as to give details of completion rates and unit achievement.

The initiative is part of a Pounds 10 million government-funded package to boost GNVQs. The National Council for Vocational Qualifications is receiving Pounds 6.6 million for improving GNVQ assessment and quality assurance, and to develop the core skills component. The Further Education Development Agency is getting Pounds 1.7 million towards staff development and curriculum support.

sam atkins