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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

Admissions Review

Admissions Review UCAS Admissions Process Review GTTR Review UCAS Tariff

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’

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

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

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

Fees and Funding

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

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)

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.

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

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

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

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

Exeter’s use of contextual data Very much focused on educational factors: See http://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/applications/policy/ Evidence-based approach, reviewed annually Part of our holistic assessment of an applicant’s potential to succeed

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

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