THE ADMISSIONS POLICY

WHY AN ADMISSIONS POLICY ? To ensure that the University is compliant with the QAA Code of practice: Admissions to Higher Education Takes into account the 5 principles of fair admissions* 1.Transparency 2.Enable selection of students who are able to complete the course as judged by their achievements and their potential 3.Use assessment methods that are reliable and valid 4.Seek to minimise barriers for applicants 5.Be professional in every respect and underpinned by appropriate institutional structures and processes *outlined by the Admissions to Higher Education Review (Schwartz) (2004)

WHERE TO FIND IT

THE ADMISSIONS POLICY AIMS ENTRY REQUIRMENTS ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES TRANSPARENCY & CONSISTENCY RESPONSIBILITIES APPLICANTS WITH CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS COURSE CHANGES ENROLMENT FEEDBACK TO APPLICANTS APPEALS AND COMPLAINTS MONITOR AND REVIEW

AIMS Attract and retain students from a wide and diverse community who have the potential to succeed and benefit from the experience Ensure all applicants Have equality of opportunity, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and religious belief Gain admission to a course suited to their aspirations, and their ability to meet the demands and professional requirements of the course.

ACHIEVING THESE AIMS Clear, consistent and accessible information and guidance is available to all All applications are assessed on an individual basis All assessment methods used for the selection of students are reliable, appropriate and fair Ensure principles surrounding procedures for admission to the University are as transparent and accessible as possible All staff involved in making offers do so in a clear, consistent and reliable manner

CENTRAL ADMISSION TEAMS THREE TEAMS WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR PARTICULAR TYPES OF APPLICATION UNDERGRADUATE TEAMPOSTGRADUATE TEAMINTERNATIONAL OFFICE ALL UCAS UK/EU/INTERNATIONAL FULL-TIME UK/EU (HOME) FULL-TIME INTERNATIONAL ALL PART-TIME DISTANCE LEARNING PART-TIME DISTANCE FULL-TIME DISTANCE LEARNING

RESPONSIBILITIES CENTRAL ADMISSIONS RESPONSIBILITIES Initial Screening of Applications Fee Status, Deposits and Funding Decision making as appropriate Consistency checks Decision Processing and Communication with applicants Internal Communication and Reporting

RESPONSIBILITIES ACADEMIC SELECTORS Provide guidelines on appropriate entry criteria when decisions are made centrally Adhere to University policies and regulations in relation to admissions Ensure applicants admitted with non UK qualifications has the equivalent of standard UK entry criteria by researching such qualifications Ensure central Admissions are kept informed of changes to courses

FEEDBACK TO APPLICANTS Feedback is the communication from the HEI to an applicant, on request from the applicant, who has been unsuccessful in gaining an offer of a place on the course/ programme in Higher Education (HE) to which they have applied

FEEDBACK PROCEDURE Feedback will only be provided on applications submitted in the current application cycle Informal feedback in first instance Formal requests should be submitted in writing The admissions office will seek to respond to each request as quickly as possible, normally within 20 working days of receipt No applicant will be discriminated against or disadvantaged for requesting feedback

SUMMARY The Admissions Policy is there to provide guidance to staff as well as inform applicants on what to expect from us when dealing with their application To ensure clarity, consistency, transparency and fairness of decisions A working document, constantly changing as associated policies, codes of practice and procedures are updated 13 different legal requirements that affect admissions policy Information can be found online at