This really is a genuine scandal

@michael_merrick The table compares apples and pineapples: undergraduate degree entry is not the same as foundation degree entry. UK students are also admitted to foundation degrees every year (mainly through clearing) with grades significantly below those required for a standard bachelors degree

@michael_merrick @CGVowles Hey, Michael. If you want to make a point about the contents of a paywalled article you need to make it in the tweet. Happy to help.

@Mr_KeithTaylor @CGVowles Hey Keith, if you want to proactively tweet someone to make a corrective point about an article you haven't read, don't. Happy to help.

@michael_merrick @CGVowles I have. The table you show is for the international foundation year, not international year one.

@RJDReid @CGVowles I know, it says so at the top of the table.

@michael_merrick @CGVowles I’ve read the article. Vowles’ point remains entirely legit. Read the tweet.

@michael_merrick @CGVowles Don't say this when it's paywalled

@michael_merrick @CGVowles I did. Buried in it, you will find the explanation as to why universities are so competitively recruiting international students.

@michael_merrick @CGVowles The article thinks the sky is purple and is angry about it. It’s wildly misleading

@michael_merrick @CGVowles We have. The table is comparing entry requirements direct to the degree — which are identical for home and overseas studebts — and entry requirements for a pre-degree foundation year. There are foundation years for home students too. Stop being disingenuous.

@michael_merrick @CGVowles I did. My understanding: the pathway course referred to is a foundation year basically equivalent to a BTEC. This is what brings you up from GCSE level to qualify for the undergraduate course. UK students can also do a foundation year based on GCSE grades

@michael_merrick @CGVowles Just say you don’t under that the same route exists for UK students to do a foundation year with lower grades too and that you’re not good with analytical data 101 of comparing apples with apples.

@michael_merrick @CGVowles Suggest you do some more research…

@michael_merrick @CGVowles Can’t get to it. 😢🤣🤣🤣

@michael_merrick @CGVowles Or you could just read something by someone who knows what they are talking about (which isn’t behind a paywall).

@michael_merrick @CGVowles Suggest you read this one (from someone who works in the sector)

@michael_merrick @CGVowles Absolutely nothing in the article disagrees with what @CGVowles said. This article and the table is ridiculous. Yes, foundation courses have lower entry requirements than standard bachelors degrees. They're meant to that's the entire point of them.

@michael_merrick @CGVowles Like universities you're shouting about, it is paywalled.