1. Access Agreements for 2013-14: What has changed? Jessica Woodsford OFFA Policy Adviser

2. Office for Fair Access Independent NDPB Established in 2004 HE Act alongside the introduction of variable fees in 2006-7 Aim is to safeguard and promote fair access to higher education. All English universities and colleges that want to charge higher fees must have an Access Agreement with us.

3. Our priorities for 2012-13 Importance of outreach in achieving long term social mobility You should concentrate on access and retention measures with a proven success record. –welcome efforts to try new approaches, provided that you build in effective evaluation and monitoring from the start. Importance of evaluation Inclusion of expenditure retention and student success activities Welcome/expect collaboration

4. 2013-14 Access Agreement What will change? 2013-14 access agreements follows similar guidelines to 2012-13. There are some material differences: –Inclusion of part-time and ITT –Consultation with students –Equality and diversity –Collaborative working and collaborative targets

5. Inclusion of part-time and ITT ITT For 2012-13 ITT submitted as a separate annex For 2013-14 ITT incorporated in main agreement Part-time 2013-14 access agreement will cover 2012-13 as well Regulations cover: –25% FTE or above –Basic fee of £4,500 in an academic year –Maximum fee of £6,750

6. Consultation with students & Equality and diversity Consultation with students In 2012-13 the majority of institutions reported consulting students. For 2013-14 require a statement on the extent you have consulted students. Equality and Diversity Demonstrate you have taken equality issues into consideration Linking widening participation and equality and diversity plans

7. Collaborative working and collaborative targets Encouraging commitment to collaborative working Some plans in a developmental stage More details available now plans have developed Include collaborative IAG Collaborative targets give the opportunity to gain recognition for work that may not contribute to entrants to your institution

8. Time Line for 2013-14 Access Agreement Mid April: Guidance on 2013-14 –OFFA available to answer questions and offer support 31 st May: Submission June – July: OFFA contacts within institutions available for queries/amendments 31 st July– OFFA announcement of decisions

9. Contact Details Jessica Woodsford OFFA Policy Adviser 0117 931 7097 jessica.woodsford@ offa.org.uk Rachel Wright OFFA Policy Adviser 0117 931 7274 rachel.wright@offa. org.uk