1 IOP Programme Leaders Away Day Equality and Diversity in Admissions Debbie Epstein Policy Development & Training Officer

2 Objectives: To provide an overview of key equality and diversity issues for admissions To discuss practical examples relating to particular stages of the Admissions process i.e. Enquiry, Application and Interview

3 Stages in the Admissions Process Stage 1: Enquiry Stage 2: Application Stage 3: Interview Stage 4: Monitoring

4 Equalities considerations Race/ethnicity Disability Gender Sexual orientation Age Religion Social Class

5 Legislative requirements Key concepts with relevance to admissions: Direct discrimination Decisions based on factors other than merit Can be assumption-based Cannot be justified Indirect discrimination Process/services applied equally but with adverse impact on particular groups Often occurs in setting criteria Can be objectively justified in certain situations Duty to make reasonable adjustments Positive discrimination outlawed Positive action is lawful for under-represented groups Monitoring to assess the impact of policies and procedures

6 Examples Direct Discrimination: A student who applies for the MSc in Mental Health Studies is not offered a place because they have disclosed dyslexia on their form and it is assumed they will therefore not be able to reach the necessary academic standards to complete the programme. Indirect discrimination: All students who apply for the PGDip in Cognitive Behavioural Therapies are required to have at least 4 years work experience in a relevant field.

7 Key E&D issues in relation to admissions Decisions based on merit All academic & non-academic criteria are relevant & justifiable Employ a relevant degree of flexibility in assessing how applicants meet the criteria Health and fitness to practice assessed by a professional Anticipate and respond to reasonable adjustments

8 Key recommendations from the Schwartz report A fair admissions process should be transparent: Clear admissions policy Specify detailed criteria (academic and non-academic) Give each a weighting Advertise A fair admissions process should select students who can complete the course on basis of achievements and potential: Consider other factors in addition to examination results including potential and capability

9 Programme Entry Profile (PEP) College policy (June 2005) Completed by Admissions Staff Identifies: essential criteria/requirements appropriate weighting interviewing policy – who, what covered etc. advertised (in longer term) Coming to IOP soon…

10 KCL Equal Opportunities Policy Kings College London is committed to promoting equality of opportunity in all areas of its work Seeks to prevent discrimination on grounds of race, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief Recognise and develop diversity Promote good relations between individuals from different groups Foster a culture based on trust and respect Undertake a programme of action to make equality policies effective

11 Disability Support at Kings Steps we are taking………. Disability advice and support for staff and students + general advice Funding (Disabled Students Allowance, International students/Access to Work) School Disability Advisers Dyslexia Support Special Examination Arrangements/vivas Disability Guide/web pages Disability Access Audit Library Provision – software/assistive technology

12 Examples of course-based provision for disabled students Funding for recording devices/ communication support/note-taking for lecturers Cover note for dyslexic students Electronic versions of core texts Handouts in advance Specialist equipment i.e. alternative seating/desks etc. Developmental dyslexia tuition Extra time/special requirements for in-house assessments Mentoring support – mental health/Aspergers

13 Contact details: Equality and Diversity Department Room 7.36, James Clerk Maxwell Building Waterloo Campus Tel:

14 References Undergraduate Admissions Manual – for Admissions Tutors and Admissions Officers Available from Student Admissions Office, Guys Campus KCL Personnel web pages (Harassment policy, Age Discrimination Policy statement) KCL Equality and Diversity Department (Strategies, Policies) ACAS - Guidance on Employment Equality Regulations 2003: Religion and Belief/Sexual Orientation in the Workplace