Partnerships between institutions: competition, collaboration and issues to consider for admissions 4b. UCAS Admissions Conference, 22 March 2016 Janet Graham, Director of SPA Antony Bounds, Head of Student Admissions, University of Northampton Graeme Slater, Admissions Manager, UCFB

What is SPA? SSet up in 2006 following the Schwartz Report Fair Admissions to Higher Education: Recommendations for Good Practice ‘The Group recommends the creation of a central source of expertise and advice on admissions issues. Its purpose would be to act as a resource for institutions who wish to maintain and enhance excellence in admissions. Such a centre could lead the continuing development of fair admissions, evaluating and commissioning research, and spreading best practice.’ SSPA is the objective and independent voice on fair admissions to higher education, that offers advice and good practice to HEPs generally free at the point of use.

‘Equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of background, to gain admission to a course suited to their ability and aspirations.’ What is 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.’ What is fair admissions? QAA Quality Code Chapter B2 Expectation: ‘Recruitment, selection and admission policies and procedures adhere to the principles of fair admission. They are transparent, reliable, valid, inclusive and underpinned by appropriate organisational structures and processes. They support higher education providers in the selection of students who are able to complete their programme.’ QAA Quality Code Part C Expectation: ‘Higher education providers produce information for their intended audiences about the learning opportunities they offer that is fit for purpose, accessible and trustworthy.’

What is the SPA NETT?  SPA has set up a National Expert Think Tank (NETT) to examine what is fair admissions in the new competitive landscape  26 expressions of interest and 11 HE professionals on the NETT, mainly admissions, external relations and WP plus an academic and PVC, from HEPs from all parts of the sector  Four research areas: 1.Additional admission assessments, including specialist and professional and/or employer-led courses 2.Tracking and monitoring in admissions 3.Partnerships: competition and collaboration 4.Communication channels with applicants

Key questions  Who is responsible for ensuring that fair admissions processes are maintained between partner institutions?  What role should admissions processes play in setting up a new partnership?  Should admissions processes be regularly audited by validating institutions?  What are the CMA, QAA and UKVI implications for partnerships?  How might working in partnership be a risk to fair admissions? How do we work around this?

UCFB  Multi-campus institution based at Wembley Stadium, Turf Moor in Burnley and Manchester Etihad Campus (Sept 2016).  Two validating partners: Bucks New University & University of Northampton.  Undergraduate admissions decision-making and processing carried out by partner institutions and coordinated centrally by UCFB.  Postgraduate decision-making and processing central at UCFB.  Processes and procedures agreed in collaboration – needs of each partner taken into account.

University of Northampton  University status since 2005 with a wide range of professionally accredited, vocational and traditional academic programmes  Increasingly broadening range and type of partnerships – 30+ institutions, based in multiple countries  Different models of admissions – fully devolved to partners, partially devolved and wholly handled at Northampton  Partners need to adhere to Northampton policies and are fully audited on a regular basis to ensure robust processes

How important is admissions in deciding whether or not to start a new partnership?  What should a validating institution look for in a potential partner institution?  Should the partner institution consider the admissions processes and requirements of a potential validating institution?

Should validating institutions regularly audit their partner institutions admissions processes?  Should validating institutions trust their partners to maintain fair admissions?  What could be the implications for not auditing partner institutions admissions processes?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of managing fair admissions in partnership with other institutions?  What might be considered a ‘high risk’ area for consideration?  What examples of good practice are there?

Thank you