Admissions Trends and Behaviours

1. Admissions Trends and Behaviours Ian Blenkharn, Head of Admissions and Registry Services

2. Topics for discussion • 2013 cycle so far • Reflections on 2012 • To ABB or not to ABB • 2014 cycle • Fees and Funding • Fair access • Contextual data • Summary

3. 2013 cycle so far… • Total UCAS applications up 3.5% (15 Jan) • Trend for later applications up to 15 January deadline – more research? • International applications are up, as are mature student applications – although mature student applications were down considerably in 2012. • Source: UCAS

4. The Exeter picture • Huge increase in applications – Home/EU undergraduate applications currently up 29% (37% if you include applications to our new Medical School). • Increases across almost every subject area and across all campuses – in Exeter and in Cornwall. • Quality of applications also appears to be up. The increase in the number of AAA+/IB36+ students is ahead of our increase in applications.

5. Reflections on 2012 • A ‘perfect storm’ for universities • Fall in application rates, fewer deferrals from 2011, tougher marking in A Levels • First year of new AAB+ controls – see later slides • Some advantages for students – more choice/capacity at Confirmation, Clearing and Adjustment. We saw much more movement of students in this period.

6. To ABB or not to ABB…. • New student number controls introduced in 2012. • HEIs now able to recruit as many ‘high quality’ students as they like. • Definition of ‘high quality’ is ABB+ or equivalent – but there are plenty of exceptions. This has been relaxed from AAB+ in 2012. • Because of under-recruitment across the sector in 2012, HEFCE have been able to be more generous with their SNC allocations – good for fairness and transparency!

7. 2014 cycle • Still going to be a lot of unknowns about 2014 entry. • Impact of UCAS reforms to application process? • Fee/funding levels won’t be agreed until close to the start of the recruitment cycle. • Could be further changes to student number control system – relaxation to BBB+? • Will there continue to be demand for places….?

8. Fees and Funding • No fees paid upfront, costs covered by a loan • Loans repaid at £21k earnings threshold • Real rate of interest – RPI plus up to 3% • Fees charged up to £9k (plus inflationary increase?) • Grant support available – income threshold of £42k • National Scholarships programme • Institutional scholarships/bursaries

9. Fair Access • Confusion between ‘Fair Access’ and ‘Widening Participation’ • Milburn’s Social Mobility Report – particular focus on research intensive / selective institutions • Fair Access primarily focused on admissions and assessing potential (Hoare, 2010)

10. Contextual Data • What is it? • Additional information to aid and support the decision making process and improve inclusivity • Evidence based judgement • Applicants may not be treated in exactly the same way as different factors maybe be considered, all applicants are individuals with different backgrounds.

11. Educational Factors • School/college progression rates • School performance at GCSE • Progression from year 11 to FE • Average QCA points per qualification

12. Personal Factors • Disability • Ethnicity • Age/experience (eg Mature Students)

13. Socio-economic Factors • In receipt of free school meals • Living in a low progression neighbourhood • Socio-economic class IIM-VII • In care for longer than three months

14. Exeter’s use of contextual data • Very much focused on educational factors: See http://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/applications/policy/ • Evidence-based approach, reviewed annually • Part of our holistic assessment of an applicant’s potential to succeed

15. Questions…?