Carolyn O’Grady‘s article “CD-Roms available to help potential higher education applicants” was of great interest (TES, September 15). It was, however, infuriating that she was apparently unaware of the LASER publications, which currently sell 10,000 volumes a year.
Most schools and colleges, libraries and virtually all careers officers carry the Compendium of Higher Education (Volume one Degree Courses at University and Volume two Other Higher Education, available from LASER Advisory Council at Pounds 20 the pair).
Readers could also be forgiven for thinking that choosing a university ought to be akin to a game of pinball. Life is tough enough for young people contemplating the next step and that is why all careers services in London and the South-east have access to the on-line database QUEST to help them give advice.
QUEST, which is run by LASER Advisory Council and the City of London, contains all higher education courses in the UK, as well as all the other publicly funded vocational options in London and the South-east. Development plans include making it far more interactive so that students can not only look at the full spectrum of options, but see where there are vacancies.
LAURIE SOUTH
Chief executive
London and South-east Region
Education and Training Advisory Council
21 Bedford Square
London WC1
