Merton College’s response to undergraduate places following the 2020 A-level results

Merton College is committed to continuing its work of fostering the academic ability and potential of bright students, whatever their background. We are well aware of the many challenges faced by students and teachers this year; we share the valid concerns raised over the impact that the approach taken to awarding of A level grades will have on this year’s school leavers.

Our Admissions team and Subject Tutors were ready from the outset and have been in touch with offer holders from results day. The vast majority of students offered places at Merton met their conditions; but unfortunately, some did not, as is the case each year. However, this year presents an unprecedented set of circumstances. We would like to reassure our current students, alumni, and prospective applicants that throughout last week Merton went to great lengths to consider in detail each case where conditions were not met. Tutors took into account all factors of students’ applications including their UCAS information, performance at interview and in any admissions test, submitted written work (where required), and individual and school/college context.

This effort and the enhanced clemency guidelines produced by the University have enabled us to respond individually to the extraordinary circumstances in which this year’s results have been awarded. As a consequence, we so far have admitted virtually all of those students whose results were not as they had hoped. Students were written to on results day and informed of that decision. Merton’s intake this year for UK students has the largest representation from State schools in the College’s history at 70%. We look forward to welcoming our diverse student body to College this October and congratulate them on their success.

The Warden and Senior Tutor