A-levels: Many subjects 'not challenging enough'

Many A-levels do not equip students with the skills they need to study successfully at university, the head of a group of the most prestigious UK universities has said.

Dr Wendy Piatt, director general of the Russell Group, which represents 24 of the biggest names in higher education, told Newsnight some subjects "don't foster that ability to analyse critically."

She added that some A-level maths modules "are just not challenging enough to equip students" to continue at degree level, or to study engineering and physics.