Admissions Trends and Behaviours

Andrea WaltersHead of Recruitment & Admissions

University of Plymouthand

Ian BlenkharnHead of Recruitment & Admissions

University of Exeter

Contents2011 cycle so farDeferred behaviour2012 cycleHorizon scanningFair accessContextual dataSummary

2011…to dateYear on year increase in UCAS applications +2.5% (20

Dec) Increase in applications from EU studentsTrend for earlier application – Sept and NovSubject growth

o Group B Allied to Medicine (+18.5%)o Group X Education (+9.2%)o Group F Physical Sciences (+6.1%)

Unable to confirm offers in Health and Teaching (NHS/TDA funding) as yet.

Source: UCAS

Plymouth PictureUCAS applications up 13%Rush for 2011Growth areas:

o Education, Health, Arts.

Exeter PictureUCAS applications show significant rise in

quality from 2010 to 2011. Over 50% of applicants predicted or achieved AAA or better. Over 30% predicted or achieved at least one A*.

Growth areas mainly in Science/EngineeringRush for 2011 – applications for 2012 entry

down by nearly two thirds.

Deferred behaviourFar fewer deferring!2011 place pressureDeferral to 2012 – new fee regime

2012 cycleAdvice & guidance difficultiesFee ratesNew qualificationsTiming

Simple messagesNo fees paid upfront, costs covered by a loanLoans repaid at £21k earnings thresholdFees charged up to £9kGrant support available – income threshold of

£42kNew National Scholarships programmeInstitutional scholarships/bursaries

Horizon scanningPost-qualification application (PQA)Insurance choiceUnderstanding A* at A level

A new A* grade is being introduced … to help universities identify the brightest pupils, amid complaints in some quarters about grade inflation

Source: BBC News: Gove – July 2010

A level reform.

Fair Access

http://www.offa.org.uk/If setting fees above £6k, additional conditions must be met.

Fair Access - ExeterConfusion between ‘Fair Access’ and

‘Widening Participation’Milburn’s ‘Fair Access to the Professions’ –

particular focus on research intensive / selective institutions

Fair Access primarily focused on admissions and assessing potential (Hoare, 2010).

Fair Access - PlymouthDeveloping a variety of access pathwaysBursary opportunitiesFrank Buttle Trust – care leavers charter

mark

Where do our applications come from? 72% comprehensive schools, FE/VI Form colleges 10% independent/grammar schools

QualificationsAQA BACC

Welcomed, offers expressed as grades at A level and/or points required

Extended ProjectWelcomed, but does not form part of a

standard offer – further qualifications required.

Contextual dataWhat is it!?

Additional information to aid and support the decision making process and improve inclusivity

Evidence based judgement Applicants may not be treated in exactly the

same way as different factors maybe be considered, all applicants are individuals with different backgrounds.

Source: SPA

Contextual data ‘factors’Educational background

Personal background

Socio-economic background.

Educational factorsSchool/college progression ratesSchool performance at GCSEProgression from year 11 to FEAverage QCA points per qualification.

Personal factorsDisabilityEthnicityAge/experience (eg Mature Students).

Socio-economic factorsIn receipt of free school mealsIn receipt of EMA (RIP)Living in a low progression neighbourhoodSocio-economic class IIM-VIIIn care for greater than six months.

Plymouth’s use of contextual dataNot actively collecting or using at presentConfidence in our admissions policy that we

are inclusive in our approach and constitution.

Exeter’s use of contextual dataVery much focused on educational factors:

See http://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/applications/policy/

Evidence-based approach, reviewed annuallyPart of our holistic assessment of an

applicant’s potential to succeed.

SummaryTurbulent timesPressure for 2011 places - and hitting the

entry requirementsIncrease in reliance upon GCSE resultsInformation shortage for guidance for 2012 –

Easter time frame.

Questions?

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