The importance of experience of the world of work in admissions to Russell Group universities A desktop review of admissions criteria for six courses Anthony Mann with Charlie Spring, James Dawkins, Dave Evans and Dave Bevan

What “we all know” (or assume): WXP can help young people get into University Particularly in high-value vocational courses Background

What we don’t know: The extent of this The effect on social mobility and equality of opportunities Background

This study does not: Provide ‘the full picture’ Engage with those thornier questions Overview

This study does: Make a first step towards quantifying the phenomenon Provide a starting point for those other questions Overview

Desk research using public sources Websites of all 20 Russell Group Universities Categorised into ‘essential’ and ‘desirable’ Quotations collated for a fuller picture Fieldwork: Spring/early summer 2010 Methodology

LSE Manchester Newcastle Nottingham Oxford Queen's University Belfast Sheffield Southampton UCL Warwick Birmingham Bristol Cambridge Cardiff Edinburgh Glasgow Imperial College King's College Leeds Liverpool Russell Group Universities

Chosen as representing high wage returns: Business / Economics / Management Dentistry Engineering Law Medicine Veterinary science Courses

Summary

Sample quotations Business / Economics / Management: “Your extra-curricular activities such as work experience, participation in competitions, sport or volunteering are important, particularly when they can provide evidence of useful skills such as problem solving, working under pressure and time management...” (LSE)

Dentistry: “to ensure that the applicant has knowledge of and insight in to the profession […] it is desirable on all dental programmes that candidates have completed a period of work experience/shadowing […] and preferably in more than one establishment.” (Liverpool) Sample quotations

Engineering (1 of 2): “It can also be helpful to obtain some work experience… Such experiences should increase an applicant’s appreciation of why [the subject is] important in the modern world.” (Cambridge) Sample quotations

Engineering (2 of 2): “Whilst we recognise that it is not possible for everyone to […] get some engineering-related work experience, if you have managed to do this say so - and don’t forget to include what personal and engineering lessons you have learned from it.” (Oxford) Sample quotations

Law: “Normally, you should have some direct experience of legal practice or the criminal justice system and should be able to illustrate what you learnt from the experience.” (Leeds) Sample quotations

Medicine (1 of 3): “It is equally important to be able to demonstrate that you are well-motivated towards a career in medicine especially through volunteering and/or work experience.” (Birmingham) Sample quotations

Medicine (2 of 3): “The University recognises that opportunities for certain types of work experience […] will vary according to individual circumstances, including an applicant's cultural or socio-economic background or the activities available in their local area.” (Cardiff) Sample quotations

Medicine (3 of 3): “Medical Schools expect applicants to have a range of work experience for two reasons. Firstly, this demonstrates that you have a realistic insight to the profession […] Work experience is also important in enabling you to develop (and to demonstrate that you have) the relevant skills and qualities that are essential to becoming a good doctor.” (Sheffield) Sample quotations

Veterinary Science: “Experience of working with animals is a key part of our entry requirements.” (Edinburgh) Sample quotations

YouGov survey: perceived impacts of WXP 14-19* deciding on a Job getting a job getting into HEN Non-selective 54% (16%) 27% (9%) 25% (6%) Grammar 59% (19%) 31% (10%) 28% (11%) Independent 81% (36%) 47% (15%) 42% (13%) P-Value (Including a sixth form or college) 986 Britons aged Fieldwork: February 2011 School type attended between 14-19: Has WXP helped you in:

Further questions (1) Is this representative of a wider state of affairs? i.e. to what extent: Work experience influences admissions to the full range of undergraduate courses offered by the Russell Group universities The admissions behaviour exhibited by Russell Group universities is shared by other higher education institutions

Further questions (2) So what? i.e. to what extent: This affects admissions for definable social groups of young people, notably:  By type of school / college  By gender, socio-economic status and ethnicity

Summary

James Dawkins Education Research Analyst