Transcript Admissions – The University perspective
National developments – the implications for HE admissions Rob Evans Head of Admissions University of Sussex
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
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?
14-19 Diploma – The UCAS tariff
Announced in December:
Diploma* Progression Diploma A B C D E Additional & Specialist Learning Maximum
Points 300 250 200 150 120 100
*Points for the Progression Diploma come into effect for entry to higher education in 2010. Tariff points have not yet been award for Grade A*. Advanced Diploma = Progression Diploma plus Additional & Specialist Learning (ASL). For Tariff score for ASL see the appropriate qualification. ASL has a maximum Tariff score of 120.
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?
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)
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??
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’?
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
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??