Lynsey Hopkins, Head of Admissions June 2017 Admissions Update Lynsey Hopkins, Head of Admissions June 2017

Today 2017: the application cycle so far Confirmation, Adjustment & Clearing 2017 2018 and beyond 04/06/2018 © The University of Sheffield

2017: the application cycle so far

What we knew in September… We recruited good numbers of students in 2016 but it was harder to get them – much more competitive environment for universities. Clearing was *massive* Fewer eighteen-year-olds in the population Reaching the limit of ‘unmet demand’ with the vast majority of students with the necessary qualifications already progressing to university More universities using incentives, unconditionals etc. Trend back towards A levels but concern over reformed versions – fewer students taking AS levels, making outcome of linear A levels less certain. More variable practices in schools (mocks, predictions). What will results look like? 04/06/2018 © The University of Sheffield

2017 applications – University of Sheffield 28,800 undergraduate home applications Around 4,900 places available Around 6 applications for each place 22,200 offers – 77% of applications result in an offer 5,800 undergraduate overseas applications (not competing for same places as home applicants) 73% of overseas applications result in an offer 38,000 postgraduate applications 04/06/2018 © The University of Sheffield

What’s happening this year Lively national and international context (Brexit! Trump! Election! Help!) Small decrease in the number of applications nationally, as expected from the demographics (application rate similar) Smaller application decrease at Sheffield than nationally Sociology, Law, Business, Maths, Comp Sci doing well at TUoS Science struggling nationally – STEM boom reached its limit? Nursing apps down (bursaries) – but new at TUoS More offers (more applicants getting 5/5; over a third of all applicants nationally get a ‘full house’) High quality, well-targeted applications: greater success about applicants themselves as well as external factors Greater focus than ever on data transparency and fairness, but not all information sources are equal 04/06/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Confirmation, Adjustment & Clearing 2017

Confirmation, Adjustment and Clearing Helpline 0114 222 8015 Opening Times (provisional) Thursday 17 August: 7.30am-6pm Friday 18 August: 8.00am-5pm Saturday 10 August: 10am-2pm (prov.) The helpline will also be available Monday 21 - Friday 25 August from 9am to 5pm Deadline for meeting terms of offer is 31 August – students with non-standard qualifications need to be especially aware 04/06/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Confirmation All decisions are made on applicants (where we have received their complete results) for the morning of Thursday 17 August, when UCAS Track reopens All applicants should check UCAS Track for our decision. This includes those who have not satisfied the conditions of their offer, as universities will be able to accept some applicants who don’t meet their grades (especially in the current student recruitment climate) If a decision has not been made, then the applicant should contact us – it may be that we have not received all of their results Even confident applicants should prepare for results day: have phone numbers and UCAS ID ready 04/06/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Adjustment and Clearing The University will have some places available in Adjustment and Clearing, and these will advertised on our website and the UCAS website. Vacancies advertised from early July for those who already have results (and this is useful for A level applicants who want to do some research about options) Applicants will be able to register their interest in Clearing/Adjustment at Sheffield in advance – from early July We will publish the entry requirements for Adjustment and Clearing places on our website - www.shef.ac.uk/clearing Anyone interested in places should call our helpline or visit our webpages to use our online Clearing application system Remember applicants can only use Adjustment if they meet and exceed the terms of their firm choice offer Applicants should be aware that the helpline will be very busy on A level results day and it may take some time to get through. Whether they think they will do better or worse, preparation pays! Clearing activity very intensively focused on first five or six hours – be ready UCAS Track will open for applicants to refer themselves at 3pm on results Thursday 04/06/2018 © The University of Sheffield

2018 and beyond…

2018 and beyond National trends likely to have an effect: More competition from private providers and new institutions The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) – shake up league tables, have an impact on fees Competitive environment for universities: the demographics don’t pick up until 2020 and won’t reach 2015 levels until 2025. Opportunity for students! Qualifications review and reform A levels – almost all applicants applying for 2018 will have reformed A levels Further AS attrition? Growth in EPQ? BTEC reform: what will it do to demand for BTEC and what impact will this have on other vocational routes? Growth in apprenticeships Reformed GCSEs: consistency of entry requirements? Impact on A level uptake? What impact might changes in European and international demand have on student recruitment and competition? 04/06/2018 © The University of Sheffield

Any questions? To add or change a slide background picture: 1. On the Format menu, click Slide Background. 2. On the pop-up menu under Background fill, click Fill Effects, and then click the Picture tab. 3. Click Select Picture, find the folder that contains the picture you want (preferably one saved at 72dpi), click the file name, click Insert, and then click OK. 4. To apply the change to the current slide, click Apply. (If the menus in your version of PowerPoint are different, look up “background picture” in the PowerPoint Help menu.) 04/06/2018 © The University of Sheffield

To Discover And Understand.