Universities are to adopt a new system for comparing the qualifications of applicants.

The current points system, based on A-levels, is to be abolished after next year's round of applications - to be replaced with a wider framework which includes vocational qualifications.

It will also allow universities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to measure A-level grades against Scottish higher grades.

According to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) half the candidates applying for higher education are not A-level students, and the applications system needs to recognise the greater diversity in qualifications.

Single standard

The admissions service wants to set up a single, standardised system for measuring the results achieved by students in different types of qualification.

But plans to change the current points system - used by universities to set entry requirements have irritated the government.

Ministers fear the changes threaten to "devalue the achievement of top A-level students".

Education Secretary David Blunkett is to seek "discussions with interested parties on a sensible way forward," a spokesman said.

"Ucas has made a decision and Ucas is an independent body," the spokesman added. "But ministers cannot support it."

But Ucas has made clear that it considers the matter closed.

"The tariff is Ucas's responsibility and a decision has been made," a spokesman said.

In the present system, points are awarded for A-level grades - with an A grade worth 10 points down to two points for an E grade.

This will be abolished and replaced with a system that awards equal points to an A grade at A-level to an A grade in a six-unit advanced GNVQ.

The AS level, which many students will be taking in the first year of sixth form with the reform of A levels next year, will be worth half an A-level.

"Universities and colleges will still be asking applicants to achieve certain grades in certain subjects, and that will not change," said the chief executive of Ucas, Tony Higgins.

"But until now there has been no way for admissions officers to compare different qualifications."

"The new tariff will provide a framework which they can use to help decide which students should be offered places."

There are plans to add other international qualifications to the weighting system for comparing grades - including the International Baccalaureate and the Irish School Leaving Certificate.