Minimum eligibility threshold ‘would increase access gap’

IFS says plan to require strong GCSEs would cut off those who benefit from university

The introduction of a blanket minimum eligibility requirement for access to student loans would be a “highly imperfect” way of improving student outcomes, the Institute for Fiscal Studies research has found.

The government is currently consulting on the possible introduction of minimum eligibility requirements (MER). One option would mean students needing at least a level 4 in GCSE English and maths to access loans, while a second option would require them to have at least two grade Es at A-level.