Challenging minds in challenging times. A broad overview of the key issues surrounding Higher Education Chris Fuller, Learn with US Coordinator and Lecturer April 2010

2 Challenging minds in challenging times Applications Budget cuts Admissions Twenty-first century undergraduates

Applications.

4 University applications G u a r d i a n, J a n u a r y 1 4, Sunday Times, January 17, 2010 Daily Telegraph, January 8, 2010

– 20% 2007 – 44% 2010 target 50% % of eligible 18 – 30 year olds in HE Year 2008 – 09 HEFCE capped places at approximately c. 500,000 full-time undergraduate places. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) 09 – 10 c.200,000 rejected* * Estimated figures 08 – 09 c.150,000 rejected 10,000 full-time UG 5,000 part-time UG 5,000 foundation

6 The admissions balancing act

7 Domestic vs. international intake ‘HESA figures have reignited concerns that universities rely too heavily on international students. One in five degrees– undergraduate and postgraduate–went to students who came from outside the UK.’ Jessica Shepperd, Guardian, January 14, 2010 ‘Universities realise that the public purse is constrained […]. International students are perhaps the most obvious source of income.’ Les Ebden, Vice-Chancellor, University of Bedfordshire ‘Some universities are very reliant on international students, and should learn from institutions that have had their fingers burned by relying on this source of income.’ John Craven, Vice-Chancellor, University of Portsmouth

Admissions.

9 The Russell Group An association of the 20 most RESEARCH INTENSIVE universities. Advantages Taught by staff at the cutting edge of their subjects International reputation Greater income and facilities due to research funding Disadvantages Teaching staff heavily involved in research all year round International competition Greater demand for places and highest entry grades

10 Competition for places (2009 – 10) Medicine – 206 places (17 applicants per place) Law – 155 places (10) Psychology – 150 places (10) Physiotherapy – 35 places (17) Mathematics – 150 places (8) Geophysics – 15 places (5) Criminology – 30 places (8) Computer Science – 80 places (10)

11 Independent vs. State School intake Students in the UK 7% independently schooled 20% of the University of Southampton’s 20,000 student intake comes from an independent school background

12 Grades are important, but are a part of a holistic process. GCSEs AS grades Number of re-sits Subjects chosen A-levels Additional experience Academic reference Personal statement

13 Widening Participation Programmes Access to Southampton (A2S) This offers 19 degree programmes (including Chemistry, English, History, Nursing, Politics, Psychology and Sociology) and 12 Foundation Years (including Aeronautics and Astronautics, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Physics) Pathways to Law BM6 Medicine degree If you feel your son or daughter is eligible for any of these, encourage them to make use of them!

14 Be in receipt of an Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) of £20 or £30 a week Be in the first generation of immediate family to apply to Higher Education Have attended a secondary school which achieved less than 48% 5 A to C passes (including English and Maths) at GCSE in 2008 Only option is to attend a local University Studies disrupted by circumstances in their personal, social or domestic life Living or grew up in public care

Twenty-first century undergraduates.

16 Employability The Top 10 in demand global graduate jobs of 2010 did not exist in US Department of Labor

17 Employability 91 % of our 2008 graduates were employed or undertaking further study six months after graduation. Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2008

18 Personal statements

19 Personal statements academic… 80 % …but this can be flexible and broad

20 Twenty-first century graduates The ideal graduate is "intellectually flexible", a critical thinker and a team player; someone who could see their discipline in a wider context; someone who is, above all, employable. Source: University of Aberdeen, Curriculum Reform Consultation intellectually flexiblecritical thinker team playersee their discipline in a wider context

21 Transferable Skills Proactivity Commitment Independent thinking Initiative IT skills Decision making Problem solving Time management Enthusiasm Response to a challenge Analytical Research Skills Team workLeadershipCommunication Presenting Business acumen Networking Self-awarenessForeign language NumeracyProblem solving Flexibility

Summary.

23 Summary Increased volume of applicants (quality vs. quantity) Picking the right institution (Russell Group vs. others) Applicants need to show intellectual flexibility and breadth as well as quality Fees and funding -Post-election cuts (universities and loans?) tuition fee cap review University remains the single best investment in ones future