Andrea Walters Head of Recruitment & Admissions University of Plymouth and Ian Blenkharn Head of Recruitment & Admissions University of Exeter

Contents 2011 cycle so far Deferred behaviour 2012 cycle Horizon scanning Fair access Contextual data Summary

2011…to date Year on year increase in UCAS applications +2.5% (20 Dec) Increase in applications from EU students Trend for earlier application – Sept and Nov Subject growth o Group B Allied to Medicine (+18.5%) o Group X Education (+9.2%) o Group F Physical Sciences (+6.1%)  Unable to confirm offers in Health and Teaching (NHS/TDA funding) as yet. Source: UCAS

Plymouth Picture UCAS applications up 13% Rush for 2011 Growth areas: o Education, Health, Arts.

Exeter Picture UCAS applications show significant rise in quality from 2010 to Over 50% of applicants predicted or achieved AAA or better. Over 30% predicted or achieved at least one A*. Growth areas mainly in Science/Engineering Rush for 2011 – applications for 2012 entry down by nearly two thirds.

Deferred behaviour Far fewer deferring! 2011 place pressure Deferral to 2012 – new fee regime

2012 cycle Advice & guidance difficulties Fee rates New qualifications Timing

Simple messages No fees paid upfront, costs covered by a loan Loans repaid at £21k earnings threshold Fees charged up to £9k Grant support available – income threshold of £42k New National Scholarships programme Institutional scholarships/bursaries

Horizon scanning Post-qualification application (PQA) Insurance choice Understanding A* at A level A new A* grade is being introduced … to help universities identify the brightest pupils, amid complaints in some quarters about grade inflation Source: BBC News: Gove – July 2010 A level reform.

Fair Access If setting fees above £6k, additional conditions must be met.

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).

Fair Access - Plymouth Developing a variety of access pathways Bursary opportunities Frank Buttle Trust – care leavers charter mark Where do our applications come from? 72% comprehensive schools, FE/VI Form colleges 10% independent/grammar schools

Qualifications AQA BACC Welcomed, offers expressed as grades at A level and/or points required Extended Project Welcomed, but does not form part of a standard offer – further qualifications required.

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. Source: SPA

Contextual data ‘factors’ Educational background Personal background Socio-economic background.

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 In receipt of EMA (RIP) Living in a low progression neighbourhood Socio-economic class IIM-VII In care for greater than six 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 policy/ policy/ Evidence-based approach, reviewed annually Part of our holistic assessment of an applicant’s potential to succeed.

Summary Turbulent times Pressure for 2011 places - and hitting the entry requirements Increase in reliance upon GCSE results Information shortage for guidance for 2012 – Easter time frame.

Questions?