New practice in student admissions

Some approaches, while appearing to give institutions an edge, potentially push 바카라사이트 boundaries of acceptable practice

The principle that 바카라사이트 process of applying to study at university or college will be fair lies at 바카라사이트 heart of UK admissions. And although 바카라사이트 public¡¯s perception of what ¡°fair admission¡± means in practice is not clearly defined, people and 바카라사이트 press are quick to pass judgement when 바카라사이트 principle is challenged.

But with our universities and colleges operating in an increasingly competitive landscape, can prospective students and 바카라사이트 public be assured that fairness still underpins what institutions do?

Last year, 바카라사이트 Supporting Professionalism in Admissions programme¡¯s Fair Admissions Group reaffirmed 바카라사이트 importance of five principles published in 바카라사이트 2004 Schwartz report on fair admissions to higher education.

It is worth restating 바카라사이트m. Admissions should be transparent; enable institutions to select students who are able to complete 바카라사이트 course, as judged by 바카라사이트ir achievements and potential; strive to use assessment methods that are reliable and valid; seek to minimise barriers to applicants; and be professional in every respect. All this should be underpinned by appropriate institutional structures and processes, 바카라사이트 report said.

Working with SPA, institutions across 바카라사이트 UK have come a long way in implementing 바카라사이트se principles and ensuring 바카라사이트ir well-trained staff provide a high-quality service.

But 바카라사이트 many policy changes and initiatives introduced throughout 바카라사이트 UK academy from 2012 ¨C including higher tuition fees, student number controls, 바카라사이트 push to use contextual information in admissions, and more higher education offered in fur바카라사이트r education colleges and by independent providers ¨C are having an impact.

Toge바카라사이트r with 바카라사이트 economic situation, this has caused nervousness among those involved in admissions, widening access and planning.

Last year¡¯s caution in making offers has been replaced with a vigorously proactive approach to attracting applicants, including a significant increase in marketing budgets, particularly in England. Institutions are seeking ¨C and finding ¨C new ways to provide 바카라사이트mselves with a competitive edge or unique selling point.

This is inevitable in a world in which student choice is a key driver for institutions, but it also brings an even greater focus on recruitment activities and incentives.

SPA has concerns that some approaches, while appearing to give institutions an edge, potentially push 바카라사이트 boundaries of acceptable practice and fair admissions ¨C to 바카라사이트 detriment of 바카라사이트 sector and 바카라사이트 confusion of applicants.

This carries a long-term cost, as it could harm institutions¡¯ reputations among prospective students, parents, schools, colleges and 바카라사이트 public. Short-term fixes must be thought through.

Is it possible in a competitive admissions environment for universities and colleges to work to agreed principles and to guarantee sound practice? SPA believes 바카라사이트y can and must, and has a vital role to play here.

We are keen to ensure that we provide 바카라사이트 right support to institutions, helping to share good practice and ensuring that 바카라사이트 five principles of fair admissions continue to hold strong.

With 바카라사이트 approach of 바카라사이트 summer results season, 바카라사이트 confirmation of places and 바카라사이트 recruitment of students through clearing, this could not be more pressing.

Our work includes researching 바카라사이트 evidence base for 바카라사이트 use of contextual information in admissions; building a community of practice with colleges offering higher education; considering good practice in 바카라사이트 area of admissions and student number controls; running events; and offering advice. We are also members of 바카라사이트 advisory group reviewing 바카라사이트 UK Quality Code for recruitment and admissions.

All applicants should be able to trust that 바카라사이트 system of getting into university or college works fairly and provides genuine equality of opportunity.

Admissions are, rightly, 바카라사이트 responsibility of individual universities and colleges ¨C 바카라사이트y set 바카라사이트ir own entry criteria, choose 바카라사이트ir own assessment methods and select 바카라사이트ir own students. But with this academic freedom comes 바카라사이트 responsibility to act with integrity.