The Council has considered the remarks made at the Discussion of this Report on 18 March (Reporter, p. 673) and responds as follows.
In responding to the remarks of Mr A. Norman, the Council notes that no change is proposed to the current matriculation requirement that at least three passes at GCE A level (or their equivalent) will normally be required. The attached subject-specific list in draft Schedule I of the proposed new regulations for matriculation requirements gives what are regarded as the essential A level (or other) subject or subjects for a specific course as currently set out in the Undergraduate Prospectus. Thus an applicant for the Economics Tripos must have Mathematics as one of the three A levels; this is no different from the current requirements. Mr Norman also questioned whether the new arrangements would give power to single individuals within Colleges to waive the matriculation requirements for any applicant. In exercising their powers under the new arrangements the Colleges are required to have regard to advice from the General Board. In answer to his third point, concerning students who wish to transfer from one Tripos to another, such constraints as currently apply to transfers between Triposes will not be affected by these proposals.
Dr C. T. Morley regretted the proposed abolition of the general requirement to have knowledge of one foreign language to GCSE and expressed concern that the language provision by the Department of Engineering, and the provision in the University's Language Centre, would be undermined. The Council sees no reason why these valuable programmes in the University will be less appropriate for interested students in future.
In the Report the Council stated that the Faculty Boards had been consulted about whether further essential requirements for any Tripos should be listed. The Faculty Board of Music has requested that in addition to A level Music the entry in Schedule I be supplemented by 'or an appropriate alternative qualification such as associated Grade VIII Theory'. No Faculty Board has raised concerns about the Report's proposals.
The Council is satisfied that the proposed new arrangements for matriculation are appropriate and is therefore submitting a Grace to the Regent House (Grace 2, p. 656) for the approval of the recommendations in the Report.