SPA’s Good Practice for Admissions Policies Admissions Policy and the QAA Quality Code – Are you ready? Peter Chetwynd, Admissions Support and Development Manager

The Expectation for recruitment, selection and admission 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.

Schwartz’s principles of fair admissions A fair admissions system should: 1.Be transparent, and provide consistent and efficient information 2.Select students who are able to complete the course as judged by their achievements and potential 3.Use assessment methods that are reliable and valid 4.Minimise barriers to applicants – inclusive? 5.Be professional in every respect and underpinned by institutional structures and processes.

 The Schwartz principles of fair admissions underpin and inform Chapter B2’s Expectation  The Schwartz principles of fair admissions underpin and inform SPA’s guidance and good practice  We are not in the business of endorsing practice as ‘B2 ready’, but if...  you have already been using our good practice + your admissions processes adhere to the Schwartz principles = there shouldn’t be too much to worry about  We want to support you to not just meet but exceed Expectations B2 and SPA’s good practice on admissions policies

What’s covered by Chapter B2?  Admissions → Recruitment, selection and admission  Recruitment and selection were already covered by B2  Recruitment activities involve ‘individuals... actively weighing up the prospect of entering or continuing in higher education’  Runs up to enrolment – induction activities are covered by B4  Encompasses ‘any programme, at any level and employing any mode of study, with a higher education provider’  B2’s just a part of the bigger picture pre- application post- application applicationtransition

What’s covered by the B2 Indicators? Indicators 1–4 cover all stages of recruitment, selection & admission Policies are informed by strategy and understood by all involved (Ind. 1) Processes are carried out professionally by competent, authorised staff (Ind. 2) There is a high quality appeals and complaints procedure in place (Ind. 3) Policies and procedures are monitored and reviewed regularly (Ind. 4)

What’s covered by the B2 Indicators? Thinking about higher education (Ind. 5) Applying to higher education (Ind. 6) Going through the selection process (Ind. 7) Receiving the decision and feedback (Inds 8–9) Making the transition from prospective student to current student (Ind.10) Indicators 1–4 cover all stages of recruitment, selection & admission

Our admissions policy resources

Why is your admissions policy crucial?  To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants Recruitment, selection and admission policies are informed by the strategic priorities of the higher education provider. Higher education providers promote a shared understanding of their approach among all those involved in Recruitment, selection and admission. Indicator 1

monitor measure pre- application post- application applicationtransition institution mission and values policiesstrategic aims key interactions linking interactions integrated practitioner groups/communities enablers – staff, systems, funds Applicant experience strategy map

Why is your admissions policy crucial?  To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants  To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure

Why is your admissions policy crucial?  To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants  To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure Recruitment, selection and admission policies are informed by the strategic priorities of the higher education provider. Higher education providers promote a shared understanding of their approach among all those involved in Recruitment, selection and admission. Indicator 1 Recruitment, selection and admission processes are conducted in a professional manner by authorised and competent representatives of the higher education provider. Indicator 2

monitor measure pre- application post- application applicationtransition institution mission and values policiesstrategic aims key interactions linking interactions integrated practitioner groups/communities enablers – staff, systems, funds Applicant experience strategy map

Why is your admissions policy crucial?  To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants  To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure  To facilitate measuring and monitoring

Why is your admissions policy crucial?  To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants  To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure  To facilitate measuring and monitoring Higher education providers monitor, review and update their recruitment, selection and admission policies and procedures, in order to enhance them and to ensure that they continue to support the provider's mission and strategic objectives. Higher education providers determine the frequency with which monitoring and review are undertaken. Indicator 4

monitor measure pre- application post- application applicationtransition institution mission and values policiesstrategic aims key interactions linking interactions integrated practitioner groups/communities enablers – staff, systems, funds Applicant experience strategy map

Why is your admissions policy crucial?  To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants  To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure  To facilitate measuring and monitoring  To promote transparency in all aspects of recruitment, selection and admissions

Why is your admissions policy crucial?  To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants  To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure  To facilitate measuring and monitoring  To promote transparency in all aspects of recruitment, selection and admissions … assist prospective students in making informed decisions… Indicator 5 … make clear to prospective students how … the process will be conducted… Indicator 6 … transparent entry requirements … Indicator 7 … give successful applicants sufficient information … to make the transition from prospective student to current student. Indicator 10

Why is your admissions policy crucial?  To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants  To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure  To facilitate measuring and monitoring  To promote transparency in all aspects of recruitment, selection and admissions  To demonstrate and evidence compliance with the Quality Code, legal/statutory obligations, fair admissions, good practice etc. …

high level statement supported by principles enacted through procedures – Reflects your mission and strategic plan – Affirms your commitment to fair admissions – Outlines the qualities looked for in an applicant – Specific principles or policy statements – Policy implementation and review process – Links to other codes/policies adhered to – Procedures for specific aspects of admissions – Supplementary good practice guidance – Information for applicants and advisors The admissions policy hierarchy

high level statement supported by principles enacted through procedures Core admissions policy Step-by-step procedural detail Descriptions of staff roles/ responsibilities Institutional good practice statements Information for applicants and advisors  Who is the audience? Core policy should be accessible to all  All-in-one document or separate admissions policy document and procedure handbook?  Good practice to harmonise devolved procedures  Clear IAG for applicants is vital in addition to policy documents What goes in the admissions policy?

ReviewDisseminateImplementMonitor It’s about more than just writing the document …

Admissions policies checklist

Overarching reflective questions for B2  Is our admissions policy informed by strategy and by our institutional mission and values?  Do we have clear policies and procedures in place for all our recruitment, selection and admission activities?  Does everyone involved in these activities – including external agents – know and understand the policy?  Is our admissions policy translating into admissions practice?  Are we monitoring, evaluating and refining all our policies and procedures?  Are we not just transparent but also clear?

Questions? More information from: or