SPA’s Good Practice for Admissions Policies Admissions Policy and the QAA Quality Code – Are you ready?
Peter Chetwynd, Admissions Support and Development Manager
The Expectation for recruitment, selection and admission
Recruitment, selection and admission policies and procedures adhere to the principles of fair admission. They are transparent, reliable, valid, inclusive and underpinned by appropriate organisational structures and processes. They support higher education providers in the selection of students who are able to complete their programme.
Schwartz’s principles of fair admissions
A fair admissions system should:
1. Be transparent, and provide consistent and efficient information
2. Select students who are able to complete the course as judged by their achievements and potential
3. Use assessment methods that are reliable and valid
4. Minimise barriers to applicants – inclusive?
5. Be professional in every respect and underpinned by institutional structures and processes.
The Schwartz principles of fair admissions underpin and inform Chapter B2’s Expectation
The Schwartz principles of fair admissions underpin and inform SPA’s guidance and good practice
We are not in the business of endorsing practice as ‘B2 ready’, but if ...
you have already been using our good practice+ your admissions processes adhere to the Schwartz principles= there shouldn’t be too much to worry about
We want to support you to not just meet but exceed Expectations
B2 and SPA’s good practice on admissions policies
What’s covered by Chapter B2?
Admissions → Recruitment, selection and admission
Recruitment and selection were already covered by B2 Recruitment activities involve ‘individuals ... actively weighing up the
prospect of entering or continuing in higher education’ Runs up to enrolment – induction activities are covered by B4
Encompasses ‘any programme, at any level and employing any mode of study, with a higher education provider’
B2’s just a part of the bigger picture
pre-application
post-applicationapplication transition
What’s covered by the B2 Indicators?
Indicators
1–4 cover all
stages of
recruitment,
selection &
admission
Policies are informed by strategy and understood by all involved (Ind. 1)
Processes are carried out professionally by competent, authorised staff (Ind. 2)
There is a high quality appeals and complaints procedure in place (Ind. 3)
Policies and procedures are monitored and reviewed regularly (Ind. 4)
What’s covered by the B2 Indicators?
Thinking about higher education(Ind. 5)
Applying to higher education(Ind. 6)
Going through the selection process (Ind. 7)
Receiving the decision and feedback (Inds 8–9)
Making the transition from prospective student to current student (Ind.10)
Indicators
1–4 cover all
stages of
recruitment,
selection &
admission
Our admissions policy resources
Why is your admissions policy crucial?
To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants
Recruitment, selection and admission policies are informed by the strategic priorities of the higher education provider. Higher education providers promote a shared understanding of their approach among all those involved in Recruitment, selection and admission.
Indicator 1
monitor m
easu
re
pre-application
post-applicationapplication transition
institution mission and values
policiesstrategic aims
key interactions
key interactions
key interactions
key interactions
linking interactions
linking interactions
linking interactions
integrated practitioner groups/communities
enablers – staff, systems, funds
Applicant experience strategy map
Why is your admissions policy crucial?
To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants
To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure
Why is your admissions policy crucial?
To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants
To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure
Recruitment, selection and admission policies are informed by the strategic priorities of the higher education provider. Higher education providers promote a shared understanding of their approach among all those involved in Recruitment, selection and admission.
Indicator 1
Recruitment, selection and admission processes are conducted in a professional manner by authorised and competent representatives of the higher education provider.
Indicator 2
monitor m
easu
re
pre-application
post-applicationapplication transition
institution mission and values
policiesstrategic aims
key interactions
key interactions
key interactions
key interactions
linking interactions
linking interactions
linking interactions
integrated practitioner groups/communities
enablers – staff, systems, funds
Applicant experience strategy map
Why is your admissions policy crucial?
To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants
To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure
To facilitate measuring and monitoring
Why is your admissions policy crucial?
To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants
To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure
To facilitate measuring and monitoring
Higher education providers monitor, review and update their recruitment, selection and admission policies and procedures, in order to enhance them and to ensure that they continue to support the provider's mission and strategic objectives. Higher education providers determine the frequency with which monitoring andreview are undertaken.
Indicator 4
monitor m
easu
re
pre-application
post-applicationapplication transition
institution mission and values
policiesstrategic aims
key interactions
key interactions
key interactions
key interactions
linking interactions
linking interactions
linking interactions
integrated practitioner groups/communities
enablers – staff, systems, funds
Applicant experience strategy map
Why is your admissions policy crucial?
To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants
To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure
To facilitate measuring and monitoring To promote transparency in all aspects of recruitment, selection
and admissions
Why is your admissions policy crucial?
To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants
To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure
To facilitate measuring and monitoring To promote transparency in all aspects of recruitment, selection
and admissions
… assist prospective students in making informed decisions…
Indicator 5
… make clear to prospective students how … the process will be conducted…
Indicator 6
… transparent entry requirements …
Indicator 7
… give successful applicants sufficient information … to make the transition from prospective student to current student.
Indicator 10
Why is your admissions policy crucial?
To ensure that your institution’s mission and values are reflected in your admissions practice and your interactions with applicants
To support staff professionalism and coherent practice across your institution through a definitive source for policy and procedure
To facilitate measuring and monitoring To promote transparency in all aspects of recruitment, selection
and admissions To demonstrate and evidence compliance with the Quality Code,
legal/statutory obligations, fair admissions, good practice etc. …
high
level statement
supported
by principles
enacted
through procedures
– Reflects your mission and strategic plan
– Affirms your commitment to fair admissions
– Outlines the qualities looked for in an applicant – Specific principles or policy
statements– Policy implementation and
review process– Links to other codes/policies
adhered to– Procedures for specific aspects of admissions
– Supplementary good practice guidance
– Information for applicants and advisors
The admissions policy hierarchy
highleve
l stateme
ntsupported
by principles
enactedthrough procedures
Core admissions
policy
Step-by-step procedural
detail
Descriptions of staff roles/
responsibilities
Institutional good practice
statements
Information for applicants and
advisors
Who is the audience?Core policy should be accessible to all
All-in-one document or separate admissions policy document and procedure handbook?
Good practice to harmonise devolved procedures
Clear IAG for applicants is vital in addition to policy documents
What goes in the admissions policy?
Review
Disseminate
Implement
Monitor
It’s about more than just writing the document …
Admissions policies checklist
Overarching reflective questions for B2
Is our admissions policy informed by strategy and by our institutional mission and values?
Do we have clear policies and procedures in place for all our recruitment, selection and admission activities?
Does everyone involved in these activities – including external agents – know and understand the policy?
Is our admissions policy translating into admissions practice? Are we monitoring, evaluating and refining all our policies and
procedures? Are we not just transparent but also clear?
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