Admissions Trends and BehavioursIan Blenkharn, Head of Admissions and Registry Services

Topics for discussion 2014 cycle so far Reflections on 2012 and 2013 To ABB or not to ABB 2015 cycle Fees and Funding Fair access Contextual data Questions

The Exeter picture

Another large increase in applications – Home/EU undergraduate applications currently up 10%, after a 29% increase in applications for 2013 entry.

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.

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

Some advantages for students – more choice/capacity at Confirmation, Clearing and Adjustment. We saw much more movement of students in this period.

Reflections on 2013

A much better year for universities (and students!)

Rise in application rates, deferral patterns back to normal

More relaxed number controls (AAB-ABB) plus a greater tolerance band for universities

A record year for student acceptances and also some pleasing progress in terms of widening participation (narrowing the progression gap between most and least advantaged)

To ABB or not to ABB…. New form student number controls introduced in 2012.

HEIs able to recruit as many ‘high quality’ students as they like since then.

Definition of ‘high quality’ is ABB+ or equivalent – but there are plenty of exceptions. Certain combinations of qualifications now allowed.

Things will all change again in 2015 – no number controls at all….! However, we have yet to hear the details.

2015 cycle

A lot of unknowns about 2015 entry, particularly around how numbers will be managed and impact on HEIs

Impact of A level reforms on attainment / predictions / progression to university

Fee/funding levels won’t be agreed until close to the start of the recruitment cycle.

Falling 18 year old demographic – will there still be demand for HE in such high volumes?

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)

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.

Educational Factors

School/college progression rates

School performance at GCSE

Progression from year 11 to FE

Average QCA points per qualification

Personal Factors

Disability

Ethnicity

Age/experience (eg Mature Students)

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

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

Questions…?