1. Lynsey Hopkins, Head of Admissions June 2017
Admissions Update
Lynsey Hopkins, Head of Admissions
June 2017

2. Today 2017: the application cycle so far
Confirmation, Adjustment & Clearing 2017
2018 and beyond
04/06/2018
© The University of Sheffield

3. 2017: the application cycle so far

4. What we knew in September…
We recruited good numbers of students in 2016 but it was harder to get them – much more competitive environment for universities. Clearing was *massive*
Fewer eighteen-year-olds in the population
Reaching the limit of ‘unmet demand’ with the vast majority of students with the necessary qualifications already progressing to university
More universities using incentives, unconditionals etc.
Trend back towards A levels but concern over reformed versions – fewer students taking AS levels, making outcome of linear A levels less certain. More variable practices in schools (mocks, predictions). What will results look like?
04/06/2018
© The University of Sheffield

5. 2017 applications – University of Sheffield
28,800 undergraduate home applications
Around 4,900 places available
Around 6 applications for each place
22,200 offers – 77% of applications result in an offer
5,800 undergraduate overseas applications (not competing for same places as home applicants)
73% of overseas applications result in an offer
38,000 postgraduate applications
04/06/2018
© The University of Sheffield

6. What’s happening this year
Lively national and international context (Brexit! Trump! Election! Help!)
Small decrease in the number of applications nationally, as expected from the demographics (application rate similar)
Smaller application decrease at Sheffield than nationally
Sociology, Law, Business, Maths, Comp Sci doing well at TUoS
Science struggling nationally – STEM boom reached its limit?
Nursing apps down (bursaries) – but new at TUoS
More offers (more applicants getting 5/5; over a third of all applicants nationally get a ‘full house’)
High quality, well-targeted applications: greater success about applicants themselves as well as external factors
Greater focus than ever on data transparency and fairness, but not all information sources are equal
04/06/2018
© The University of Sheffield

7. Confirmation, Adjustment & Clearing 2017

8. Confirmation, Adjustment and Clearing Helpline
Opening Times (provisional)
Thursday 17 August: 7.30am-6pm
Friday 18 August: 8.00am-5pm
Saturday 10 August: 10am-2pm (prov.)
The helpline will also be available Monday 21 - Friday 25 August from 9am to 5pm
Deadline for meeting terms of offer is 31 August – students with non-standard qualifications need to be especially aware
04/06/2018
© The University of Sheffield

9. Confirmation
All decisions are made on applicants (where we have received their complete results) for the morning of Thursday 17 August, when UCAS Track reopens
All applicants should check UCAS Track for our decision. This includes those who have not satisfied the conditions of their offer, as universities will be able to accept some applicants who don’t meet their grades (especially in the current student recruitment climate)
If a decision has not been made, then the applicant should contact us – it may be that we have not received all of their results
Even confident applicants should prepare for results day: have phone numbers and UCAS ID ready
04/06/2018
© The University of Sheffield

10. Adjustment and Clearing
The University will have some places available in Adjustment and Clearing, and these will advertised on our website and the UCAS website. Vacancies advertised from early July for those who already have results (and this is useful for A level applicants who want to do some research about options)
Applicants will be able to register their interest in Clearing/Adjustment at Sheffield in advance – from early July
We will publish the entry requirements for Adjustment and Clearing places on our website -
Anyone interested in places should call our helpline or visit our webpages to use our online Clearing application system
Remember applicants can only use Adjustment if they meet and exceed the terms of their firm choice offer
Applicants should be aware that the helpline will be very busy on A level results day and it may take some time to get through. Whether they think they will do better or worse, preparation pays!
Clearing activity very intensively focused on first five or six hours – be ready
UCAS Track will open for applicants to refer themselves at 3pm on results Thursday
04/06/2018
© The University of Sheffield

11. 2018 and beyond…

12. 2018 and beyond National trends likely to have an effect:
More competition from private providers and new institutions
The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) – shake up league tables, have an impact on fees
Competitive environment for universities: the demographics don’t pick up until 2020 and won’t reach 2015 levels until Opportunity for students!
Qualifications review and reform
A levels – almost all applicants applying for 2018 will have reformed A levels
Further AS attrition? Growth in EPQ?
BTEC reform: what will it do to demand for BTEC and what impact will this have on other vocational routes?
Growth in apprenticeships
Reformed GCSEs: consistency of entry requirements? Impact on A level uptake?
What impact might changes in European and international demand have on student recruitment and competition?
04/06/2018
© The University of Sheffield

13. Any questions? To add or change a slide background picture:
1. On the Format menu, click Slide Background.
2. On the pop-up menu under Background fill, click Fill Effects, and then click the Picture tab.
3. Click Select Picture, find the folder that contains the picture you want (preferably one saved at 72dpi), click the file name, click Insert, and then click OK.
4. To apply the change to the current slide, click Apply.
(If the menus in your version of PowerPoint are different, look up “background picture” in the PowerPoint Help menu.)
04/06/2018
© The University of Sheffield

14. To
Discover
And
Understand.