The University’s head of admissions, Mike Sewell, has made a plea for AS levels to remain.

Sewell expressed concern that getting rid of AS levels would leave thousands of “overambitious” sixth form students making ill-advised Oxbridge applications.

As part of former education secretary Michael Gove’s reforms, the AS level will be separated from the A level from 2017, making it a standalone qualification.

This is likely to lead to fewer students sitting AS exams and will prevent universities from using it as part of admissions.

Sewell said AS exams acted as a “reality check” which spared unrealistic teenagers the “upsetting” experience of an Oxbridge rejection.

Without AS levels, Sewell warned that Russell Group universities could face even more applications from students who believe a string of top GCSEs make competitive candidates.

“There is a worry that without the AS-level reality check, they are at risk of making several unfortunate choices...with AS results, they can sit down with their teachers and make realistic choice,” said Sewell.

The news comes as Cambridge raises its entrance requirements to A*A*A for almost half of its courses, including the sciences and maths.

This threshold is in response to mounting applications. Last summer, a record 34,000 students applied for just 6,400 places.