Farnborough College students left waiting after exam results error

The students affected had taken BTec exams at Farnborough College of Technology

Dozens of students were not able to pick up their exam results as expected following an error at a college.

Engineering students at Farnborough College of Technology in Hampshire said they were told, without explanation, that their results were unavailable.

The college said it was "working to provide these results as soon as possible".

University admissions body Ucas said it was used to managing delays in students receiving results.

About 100 students at the college had been studying for BTecs in Level 3 Aeronautical Engineering overseen by qualifications awarding body Pearson.

'Degree of uncertainty'

Catherine Due said she was left "absolutely incredulous" when she went to pick up results with her son Michael and was told they were unavailable.

"Obviously this is unacceptable - we're waiting to see if he can take up a place at university. This degree of uncertainty is just really unfair," she added.

Joe Sgueglia had been studying for a BTec in Aeronautical Engineering

Student Joe Sgueglia said "I was really excited to see what I'd got and was really excited to take my next steps forward to university - and unfortunately there was nothing they could give me."

The college said it became aware of an "error" with some students not receiving their grades at the expected time.

"Staff have been working with their universities of choice to let them know about the delay and arranged for results to be sent either by email or via Ucas.

"Universities have been flexible and accommodating with this," it added.

'Don't panic'

Pearson confirmed it was "working closely with the college to try and resolve this as quickly as possible for students".

"We are aware that a very small percentage of BTec students are experiencing a delay in receiving their results.

"BTecs are a modular qualification and in order for us to award an overall grade, we require unit grades to be provided for each module studied.

Ucas said students "should not panic".

"Students may find they are awaiting their examination results for many reasons.

"Universities are used to managing this in their processes, and we are working with awarding bodies to ensure all students can receive a decision on their application.

It said it advised universities to hold offers until 7 September, to allow for any delays in students receiving their qualification results.