National developments – the implications for HE admissions

1. National developments – the implications for HE admissions Rob Evans Head of Admissions University of Sussex

2. Changes -Curriculum and process Main topics: 14-19 advanced diploma The extended project A* at A-level, the IB and others Delivery partnership Reduction in choices & adjustment period Feedback and SPA Gathered field, PQA & paperless processing

3. 14-19 Advanced Diploma – Implications for universities Advanced diplomas Will we accept them? What will we require? National qualification within local context? Who will take them? New pathways in Science, Languages & Humanities Communication (to students & parents) Engagement within HE (especially in non-diploma disciplines) Standard offer requirements?

4. 14-19 Diploma –The UCAS tariff • Announced in December:

5. Extended project –Some observations • Extended projects • Mandatory within diploma; optional at A-level • Half the size of an A level • Graded A* to E • Availability & provision within A-level? • Perceived benefits for students? • Use within admissions process? • ‘Students might use their project at interview stage for higher education and/or in their personal statement on the UCAS form’-QCA information sheet • Use within offers?

6. Other qualifications –More change! • Other developments • Extended Diploma • - 2011; 4.5 A-levels; all 17 lines of learning • A* at A-level • - first awarded 2010; use in offers?; tariff score? • 6 to 4 units for most A-levels • Expansion of the IB • Cambridge Pre-U (teaching from 2008) • AQA Baccalaureate (Pilots from 2007)

7. Delivery Partnership –Implications for HE • http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/activities/admissions.asp • Established autumn 2006 • Sector led, but charged with implement change • Reduction in choices (2008) • Adjustment period (summer 2009) • Feedback to unsuccessful applicants (good practice 2008) • Entry Profiles (100% coverage by 2009?) • Changes to Art & Design • Gathered field? • PQA??

8. Delivery Partnership –Reduction, adjustment, feedback • Reduction in choices • Applicants moved from 6 to 5 choices in 2008 • Generally welcomed (by HE and schools) • Impact on application numbers and now conversion • Adjustment period • Summer 2009 – applicants who do ‘better than expected’ given chance to change HEI without losing firm choice • Impact on HEIs: difficulties with planning numbers; possible loss of students; problems for subjects with mandatory interviews; impact on offer making practice; and confirmation policy. • Impact on applicants: delays for near misses(?); need for more advice & guidance; raises expectations(?); housing? • Who decides what is ‘better than expected’?

9. Delivery Partnership –Reduction, adjustment, feedback • Feedback to unsuccessful applicants • Supporting Professionalism in Admissions • Joint SPA, UCAS and UUK statement on good practice (Drafted November 2007, published February 2008) • http://www.spa.ac.uk/good-practice/applicant-feedback.html • Feedback on request • Auditable trail of decision making • Proposals for optional electronic feedback via UCAS in future • Relationship to complaints and appeals? • Implications for advice & guidance

10. Longer term –Big issues for the (not too distant!) future • Gathered field – no decisions until given date (or only rejections?); question of timing; implications for interviewing subjects; impact on post offer visits; pressure on admissions offices • PQA – no applications until results known; timing of exam results in relation to academic year; difficulties for interview subjects; implications for advice & guidance in schools; encourages grade-focused selection(?); issues for ‘relationship building’ between applicant and HEI • Paperless processing – the loss of the UCAS copy form; 3 or 4 years(??); systems and process changes; Weblink as precursor; local printing or changes to practice??

11. Thoughts, • comments, • questions!