After the Storm Admissions from a University Perspective Professor Mary Stuart, Vice Chancellor, University of Lincoln

The watershed year 2013 Different students and different admissions Supporting students making choices The admissions lifecycle The major influencers and the responsibilities of Universities with influencers Themes

The Watershed Year Not only higher fees – a complex and as yet not fully understood repayment system Volatility and complexity in tariff eligibility Challenges to international recruitment (not just immigration policy but also international HE competition) Part-time loans and ineligibility Post Graduate and the recession New entrants providing HE and new Universities

Admissions slight recovery but not older mature students (and we do not know about part-time yet) – Lincoln applications are considerably up (home and international) At Lincoln reshaped our engagement with schools, teachers, parents and prospective students. Weve also been working on repositioning the institution (but we were doing this anyway) Kept AABs (at 11%) ABBs tracking at 35% so far keeping them course and institution right for the student!

Different students and different admissions Universities have focused too much on processes that suit home UG students in the old world Need different approaches tailored to different student needs Requires more joining up between advisors, event organisers, social media communicators, academics and administrators

Supporting students making choices Home UG students Information ADVICE and GUIDANCE Engagement of current students in telling it like it is The importance of visiting....and academic engagement Communication, communication, communication No advantage in seeing students who will not be happy at your institution

Supporting students making choices PG Home – at Lincoln The role of employers and creating employer relevant curriculum Provision that suits people in work and supports advancement in work Engagement with Academics who will teach students Success but more to learn and do

Supporting Students making choices International students Word of mouth and role of alumni Virtual Open Days Q and A sessions on line Engagement of Academics Support to students to navigate the minefield of UKBA Helping with preparing for living in the heart of England

Admissions lifecycle All this suggests it is NOT a simple process anymore (if it ever should have been) Aspiration raising Preparing for University even more vital than before Partnership and discussions with teachers,providing appropriate support for schools and colleges International partnerships with other Universities

Admissions lifecycle For those applying a full year of engagement with lots of information and support and different academic and administrative contact Supporting peer to peer discussion and responding where there is need Ensuring a visit with appropriate content is part of cycle

The role of supporters and decision makers Information advice and guidance for teachers and parents Responding to requests and questions in a timely fashion Emphasising the visit – you will never know if you will be happy at an institution unless you have seen it and met the people there!

Challenges and Worries Lots of exciting opportunities in this new world BUT – curriculum offers – Will we maintain a broad curriculum? What happens to students at institutions where there are difficulties? Part-time and re-skilling the workforce International reputation becoming permanently damaged