1. GEES Conference – 25 June 2007 Recruitment to HE: Patterns and Issues Anthony McClaran Chief Executive

2. Overview Setting the scene UCAS today Admissions trends Changes and challenges Questions and answers

3. Setting the scene Established central role in UK admissions providing a wide-ranging, impartial service to schools, applicants and HEIs UCAS is the central application agency for full-time Undergraduate degree courses Foundation degree courses HND courses HNC courses Diploma of Higher Education courses Certificate of Higher Education courses

4. Setting the scene UCAS today The UCAS system is sophisticated and allows for many different routes. Its advantages for both applicants and institutions are that it eliminates duplication of effort, and provides a fair and consistent framework within which both applicants and institutions can compete. Wikipedia

5. Setting the scene 19662006 90,900applicants500,596 44,500acceptances383,061 63 institutions 325 GTTR – CUKAS

6. Setting the scene Information and advice CPD Programme Marketing services Publications UCAS Card Website Data & statistics Consultancy Liaison with sector bodies/ Conferences & conventions Development of HE policy Qualifications & curriculum development

7. Setting the scene Source: UCAS Data and Information Unit Admissions levels

8. Setting the scene Source: UCAS Data and Information Unit

9. Upward trend continues: Applications received by 21 May 2006:447,763 Applications received by 21 May 2007:470,158 % increase (2007 over 2006):5.0% Source: UCAS Data and Information Unit Setting the scene

10. Applicants by subject areas 2002 2005 2006 Medicine & dentistry13,64422,03921,590 Subjects allied to medicine26,08241,44142,195 Social studies25,38637,10936,627 Creative arts and design48,36559,54755,970 Physical sciences (including physical geography, geology & environmental studies)13,63514,38414,499 Linguistics & Classics11,08612,90712,583 Maths & computer sciences34,13626,25024,722 Source: UCAS Data and Information Unit Setting the scene

11. Changes and challenges Overview Demographic change The Leitch Report 14-19 curriculum Foundation degrees Differentiation International recruitment Post Qualification Application (PQA)

12. Changes and challenges Source: The Knowledge Partnership Demographic change 2005 to 2028 projected 18 year old population

13. Changes and challenges The Leitch Report Prosperity for all in the global economy: world class skills (December 2006) 4 objectives for 2020 i. 95% of adults to achieve the basic skills of functional literacy and numeracy ii. More than 90% of adults qualified to at least Level 2 iii. Shifting the balance of intermediate skills from Level 2 to Level 3 iv. Exceeding 40% of adults qualified to Level 4 and above

14. Changes and challenges Objective iv: Exceeding 40% of adults qualified to Level 4 and above Up from 29% in 2005 with a commitment to continue progression Unlikely to be achieved by further expansion of current model of HE Rebalance the priorities of HEIs to make available relevant, flexible and responsive provision that meets the high skills needs of employers and their staff

15. Changes and challenges Highest qualification held by young accepted applicants to full-time degree courses, 2004 entry (% of applicants accepted with these different qualifications/combinations at different types of institutions) QualificationRussell Group university Other Pre-92 university Post-92 university HE or FE college L3 voc qual (BTEC, AVCE) 3.211.219.930.1 GCE A Level only71.264.558.949.1 L3 qual but no GCE A Level 2.87.511.417.0 L3 voc – BTEC, AVCE A/AS or AVCE double, but no GCE A Level 0.53.78.613.1 Numbers60,57367,756184,32420,865 Source: UCAS special analysis provided for Action on Access

16. Changes and challenges 14-19 curriculum A* A level grades Diplomas How will HE react to Diplomas? 14-19 HE Engagement Project Board

17. Changes and challenges Foundation Degrees Continue to rise in popularity but still only account for low percentage of applicants to HE Applications received by 24 March 2006:23,506 Applications received by 24 March 2007:28,567 % increase (2007 over 2006): 21.50% Source: UCAS Data and Information Unit

18. Changes and challenges 100% 95% 90% 85% 80% 75% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 9294969800020405 Source: Inter Board Statistics 2005 28.8% A - E A 96.2% Differentiation Percentage of A level Scripts Achieving Grades

19. Changes and challenges Differentiation 14 – 19 curriculum changes New forms of evidence Unit grades Admissions tests

20. Changes and challenges International recruitment Numbers increasing year-on-year Fraud and verification Financial implications Perception that international students take HEFCE- funded places Competition from other countries providing HE UCAS International Board

21. Changes and challenges International recruitment Overseas acceptances Area of domicile 2001200320052006 Home325,472333,942360,244345,564 EU12,17512,57217,24718,280 Other overseas 20,39227,79327,87827,046 Total358,041374,307405,369390,890 Source: UCAS Data and Information Unit

22. Changes and challenges International recruitment Country200320052006 China6,1144,8484,502 Ireland2,8743,1862,675 France2,0292,1682,388 Hong Kong2,2002,1362,360 Nigeria1,6753,1872,078 Germany1,6752,0022,077 Cyprus 7821,7242,022 Malaysia1,8711,8951,698 Poland 851,0341,555 Greece1,6901,4981,521 Overseas acceptances by top ten contributing countries in 2006 Source: UCAS Data and Information Unit

23. Changes and challenges Post Qualification Application (PQA) Present system based on predicted examination results Implementation of PQA long-delayed by logistical and political issues Supported by Schwartz The Steering Group wholeheartedly supports a move to PQA Professor Steven Schwartz - September 2004 Consultation process Delivery Partnership with Steering Group

24. Future challenges and changes Post Qualification Application (PQA) What are we trying to do with admissions? freedom v assurance (mutual commitment) institutions interest v applicants interest gathered field v first come – first served speed of processingv time for good decision making the need to balance technical against human consideration has been a continuous theme in our office and committee considerations Ronald Kay, General Secretary, UCCA, 1985

25. Future challenges and changes Post Qualification Application (PQA) Delivery Partnership: Sector wide representation Steering group Initial proposals: I. Choices reduced - 6 down to 5 II. Re-brand and re-launch Extra and Entry Profiles Longer-term proposals: I. Gathered field and trade-up week II. Integration of Entry Profiles III. Route B IV. Integration of access courses and qualifications

26. Any Questions? Anthony McClaran, Chief Executive Rosehill, New Barn Lane Cheltenham GL52 3LZ t: +44 (0) 1242 544990 f: +44 (0) 1242 544959 e: a.mcclaran@ucas.ac.uk GEES Conference – 25 June 2007