Colleges will soon enjoy greater authority to set their own admissions policies from the 2010 academic year.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said the Cabinet approved the measure in a revision to the higher education law.

Under the revision, universities will have more say on how college entrance exams are administered and scheduled, as well as overall admissions policies including recruitment, selection and registration.

The government had drawn up basic college student admissions plans until now.

Colleges have until late August to set their admissions policies for the 2010 school year. The revised law requires them to announce new admissions policies at least 18 months before the start of the school year when they first take effect.