1. Fair access and widening participation – the view from SPA OCNLR Access to HE Conference Thursday 24 March 2011 Annie Doyle, Senior Project Officer, SPA

2. What is SPA?  SPA - the Supporting Professionalism in Admissions Programme  Established in 2006 following the Schwartz Report, Fair Admissions to Higher Education 2004  Small team, with over 70 years strategic, policy and practical experience between us in the HE admissions sector  UK’s independent and objective voice on HE admissions, reporting to the SPA Steering Group

3. What is “fair” HE admissions? Schwartz recommended 5 principles for fair admissions: 1.be transparent 2.enable institutions to select students who are able to complete the course as judged by their achievements and their potential 3.strive to use assessment methods that are reliable and valid 4.seek to minimise barriers to applicants 5.be professional in every respect and underpinned by appropriate institutional structures and processes “Equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of background, to gain admission to a course suited to their ability and aspirations.”

4. The Access Diploma and HE Admissions  An Access Qualification has existed in various guises since 1962  Specific Access to HE courses have existed since the 1970s Good practice imperative  Schwartz principles affecting qualifications good practice  “… Universities and colleges should provide… the information applicants need to make an informed choice.”  “This should include… detailed criteria for admission to courses…”  SPA’s aim in this context  How can we help?

5. The Access Diploma and HE Admissions  Release of results dates  HEIs’ access to results  Pilot project?  UCAS Awarding Body Linkage (ABL)

6. The Access Diploma and HE Admissions  It is not on the tariff – how is it considered by those who use the tariff?  Applications may be submitted later than other applicants – and possibly after the 15 January ‘equal consideration’ deadline. This can put applicants at a disadvantage.  Results do not go through automatic Awarding Body Linkage (ABL) process so HEIs rely on the applicant or AVA communicating results during confirmation and clearing period.  Still confusion about grading?  Still confusion as to how the qualification is structured?  Content varies around the country

7. The Access Diploma and HE Admissions What qualification information do HEIs need?  qualification level  qualification context  accreditation details  qualification content – subject and generic  how the qualification is taught  how the qualification is assessed – internal and external requirements  how the qualification is graded - internal and external structures  qualification predictions  qualification outcomes – ultimately

8. The Access Diploma and HE Admissions Where can HEIs find qualifications information?  Access to Higher Education website  UCAS Tariff  Register of Regulated Qualifications (RITS) – England, Wales and Northern Ireland  Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) – England, Wales and Northern Ireland  Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)  UK NARIC  UCAS UK qualifications guide  UCAS international qualifications guide  within own institution – knowledge and experience of admissions staff, both academic and administrative  within own institution – comprehensive qualifications evidence base But is it all together in one place, for all qualifications?

9. The Access Diploma and HE Admissions How can SPA help?  Results project  Grading message  Work with HEIs on good practice in offer-making  Any other ways? Please let us know

10. Thank you Email enquiries@spa.ac.uk, call 01242 544891 www.spa.ac.ukenquiries@spa.ac.uk www.spa.ac.uk