1. Admissions Trends and Behaviours
Andrea Johnson Head of UK Recruitment & Admissions Plymouth University
Ian Blenkharn Head of Recruitment & Admissions University of Exeter

2. Contents 2012 cycle so far Deferrals – who’s in and who’s not…
To AAB or not to AAB
2013 cycle
Horizon scanning
Fair access
Contextual data
Summary

3. 2012…to date UCAS applications down 7.4% (15 Jan)
Little change on 15 October deadline
Trend for later applications – more research?
Seems to be a shift towards subjects with a more ‘vocational’ focus
Source: UCAS

4. Plymouth Picture
UCAS applications in line with the UCAS national picture, and significantly up on 2010.
Much later application behaviour
Subject growth vocational and societal

5. Exeter Picture
UCAS applications exactly in line with 2011 – although slightly higher quality
Growth areas mainly in Science/Engineering/Law

6. Deferral behaviour UCAS applications don’t give the whole picture
Fewer deferrals for 2012 entry from 2011 as a result of higher fees
Deferral rates from 2012 to 2013 back to ‘normal’ – therefore a bigger net reduction in applications per place in 2012
Unclear as to how all of this will affect pressure for places at Clearing/Confirmation/Adjustment

7. To AAB or not to AAB...
New ‘Core and Margin’ model fundamentally changes the admissions process for HEIs
HEFCE/Government have not used a comprehensive equivalency model for AAB+
HEIs need to ensure fairness, transparency and consistency

8. Horizon scanning 2013 cycle UCAS Admissions Process Review
Proposals for 2014 and 2016

9. 2013 cycle
Advice & guidance difficulties – although less than for 2012
Fee rates / student support packages won’t be confirmed until July(?)
Will ‘core and margin’ threshold be lowered to ABB for 2013 entry?

10. Admissions Review

11. Admissions Review UCAS Admissions Process Review GTTR Review
UCAS Tariff

12. UCAS APR Consultation closed on 27 January Two models
Modifications for 2014
PQA for 2016 (or later)
Reduce pressure point of clearing
Re-establish ‘fairness’

13. Admissions UCAS Review
2014 ‘Modifications’
UCAS Process improvements
Same number of choices
Clearer deadlines and timeframes
Future of insurance choice
Compulsory gathered field
Offer release date
Managed ‘Clearing’ commencing after A level results
New terminology and labelling

14. Admissions UCAS Review
2016 Model
Full PQA; apply with known results
Two choices
Earliest possible 2016/2018
Subject of much debate

15. UCAS Tariff Expected to have reached end of its life by 2014 entry
Return to grades
Clarity of entry requirements/grade requirements

16. Fees and Funding

17. Simple messages No fees paid upfront, costs covered by a loan
Loans repaid at £21k earnings threshold
Real rate of interest – RPI plus up to 3%
Fees charged up to £9k (plus a bit for 2013)
Grant support available – income threshold of £42k
National Scholarships programme
Institutional scholarships/bursaries

18. Fair Access - Exeter
Confusion between ‘Fair Access’ and ‘Widening Participation’
Milburn’s ‘Fair Access to the Professions’ – particular focus on research intensive / selective institutions
Fair Access primarily focused on admissions and assessing potential (Hoare, 2010)

19. Contextual data What is it!?
Additional information to aid and support the decision making process and improve inclusivity
Evidence based judgement
Applicants may not be treated in exactly the same way as different factors maybe be considered, all applicants are individuals with different backgrounds.

20. Educational factors School/college progression rates
School performance at GCSE
Progression from year 11 to FE
Average QCA points per qualification

21. Personal factors Disability Ethnicity
Age/experience (eg Mature Students)

22. Socio-economic factors
In receipt of free school meals
Living in a low progression neighbourhood
Socio-economic class IIM-VII
In care for longer than three months

23. Plymouth’s use of contextual data
Not actively collecting or using at present
Confidence in our admissions policy that we are inclusive in our approach and constitution

24. Exeter’s use of contextual data
Very much focused on educational factors: See
Evidence-based approach, reviewed annually
Part of our holistic assessment of an applicant’s potential to succeed

25. Summary Turbulent times continue
Unknown impact of reforms on Clearing/Confirmation/Adjustment for 2012 entry and beyond

26. Questions?
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