Contextual Admissions. 40. The University of Birmingham has been a strong advocate of incorporating a range of contextual data in its admissions process as an aid to widening access to students with potential which has been hidden by their previous life and educational experiences. We are exploring through our Senate how we might develop further this area and utilise fully the additional information provided by UCAS from 2011/12 to develop a number of sophisticated options to enhance our existing use of the full range of contextual data that will enable us to identify and ‘flag’ those applicants with the greatest potential. In the first instance, however, we will ensure that our admissions policy and process is fully compliant with both the ‘Good Practice Statement on Admissions Policies’ and ‘Principles for the use of Contextual Data’ published by Supporting Professionalism in Admissions (SPA). Financial Support
Contextual Admissions. If universities encourage applicants with disadvantaged and therefore possibly unconventional educational backgrounds, then they must be ready to respond positively and creatively to these applicants when they enter the admissions phase. Universities are already attempting to use contextual data to assess applications in the holistic way described in the Xxxxxxxx Review. Soon this data will be more readily available via UCAS and the Government have made clear statements in OFFA guidance that they expect this activity to be increased. New admissions processes will be established by the University of Brighton for all applicants but with a particular emphasis on Accord Plus applicants. The University will also establish better statistical monitoring of these cohorts to ensure effective impact of policies.
Contextual Admissions. The University of Birmingham has been a strong advocate of incorporating a range of contextual data in its admissions process as an aid to widening access to students with potential which has been hidden by their previous life and educational experiences. We have agreed through our Senate our approach to contextual Admissions in those subject areas that are highly competitive and are in receipt of the additional information provided by UCAS from 2011/12 to enable us to identify and ‘flag’ those applicants with the greatest potential. We have ensured that our admissions policy and process is fully compliant with both the ‘Good Practice Statement on Admissions Policies’ and ‘Principles for the use of Contextual Data’ published by Supporting Professionalism in Admissions (SPA).
Contextual Admissions. The University’s Contextual Admissions policy is already aligned with the recommendations from the Commission for Widening Access. Contextual admissions was implemented from the start of the cycle for 2016/17 admission cycle. After receipt of examination results, applicants who meet one of the key contextual factors (SIMD20, attendance at low progression school, identification through LEAPS or SWAP route, Government recognised refugee or asylum seeker and care experienced students) are accepted for study where otherwise they may have been unsuccessful. Adjusted offers will be made to applicants with any of the above characteristics and this will typically be two grades below the minimum entry requirements. Students meeting the criteria are prioritised and made an offer within 48 hours where admissions are centralised. The University has a guaranteed offer for applicants who are care experienced who meet the minimum contextual offer. The impact of contextual admissions at the University has increased the applications, offers and acceptances to students from widening access backgrounds. The number of offers made to full-time first degree students with at least one Widening Access flag have increased from 2,094 in 2014/15 to 2,411 in 2018/19, an increase of 15%. Acceptances over the same period have increased from 507 in 2014/15 to 681 in 2018/19, an increase of 34%. For 2018/19 entry, 27% of Scottish domiciled full- time first degree entrants were made a contextual offer. Table 2 shows the proportion of applications, offers acceptances and enrolments for students between 2014/15 and 2018/19. Table 2: Proportion of applications, offers, acceptances and enrolments for full-time first degree students with at least one contextual flag, 2014/15 and 2018/19 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 Applications 22.8% 22.2% 23.3% 25.3% 24.9% Offers 23.7% 23.7% 25.1% 27.2% 27.2% Acceptances 19.3% 19.9% 21.2% 19.9% 25.1% Enrolments 19.5% 20.3% 19.9% 19.7% 23.4% The contextual admissions policy for 2019/20 entry will be enhanced further to include a fair access policy detailing the minimum entry requirements for widening access students. For applicants who meet one of the key contextual factors an offer will be made at least two grades below our minimum entry requirements. We will monitor the impact of this approach and amend as appropriate. We will also seek to make improvements to the coverage of contextual admissions, specifically for college articulating students an...
