1. Online postgraduate admissions SITS user forum 27 November 2009 Clare Streatfield

2. Background Current application system does not meet requirements Improved applicant experience: meeting customer expectations Only one of our competitors not to offer online admissions for all programmes Improved workflow: more efficient system for staff Reduction in data entry load for staff Improved processes: more transparent and easier to use Better integration with SITS Management information

3. New online PG admissions system PG programmes available for online application by December 2010 All PG admissions staff will access online applications through the Hobsons system Hobsons used for day to day PG applications processing Data updated in SITS daily

4. Better for applicants… Applicants will be able to: Submit an application Upload documents Request a reference Check the status of their application Receive an decision Accept (or decline) an offer

5. Better for staff… Staff will be able to: View applications, supporting documents and references online Process applications online: e.g. track documents, review applications, assign supervisors Use system to send automatic emails, scheduled emails or ad-hoc emails Communicate decisions And more…

6. Benefits of the system: Fewer paper applications = reduced data entry Easier to view applications and application status Reduced reliance on paper and posting Tracking of application progress Easier to manage communications with groups of applicants Improved management information and reporting

7. Apply Yourself

8. Progress so far Collected application form requirements for each postgraduate programme Built the application form to incorporate as much flexibility as possible Consulted on your current admissions processes Developed and agreed a new postgraduate admissions process Designed basic applicant communications and references screens

9. Next stage Review and test the first draft of the system Develop the detailed processes and design the system to support this Plan for comprehensive testing in 2010 Plan staff training and write training materials Develop all applicant help text, dynamic text and application instructions Write applicant communications within the system Define user access accounts and privileges

10. Timetable UoB system available for testing and review from February 2010 Training for staff to begin May 2010 Online applications roll out to begin June 2010 for some programmes Majority of programmes available for online application from September 2010

11. Further information If you have any questions about the new system, how it will impact on you or your Department, when it will be available, how it will be used then please contact: Kate Ward, Project Manager kate.ward@bristol.ac.ukkate.ward@bristol.ac.uk or Clare Streatfield, PG Recruitment and Admissions Manager clare.streatfield@bristol.ac.uk clare.streatfield@bristol.ac.uk