Annual Academic Year Review
2006-2007
(16th edition)
Compiled by Academic Standards, Registry
September 2007
Submitted to Academic Board 27th Sept 2007
Contents
CONTENTS
Introduction1 Introduction 1
Student Information2 Student recruitment and admissions 2
2.1 Overview
2.2 Student admissions processes and procedures
2.3 Student applications
2.4 Education Liaison
2.5 Postgraduate Recruitment
2.6 International recruitment
3 Student statistical data 9
3.1 Student numbers – table 1
3.2 Student profiles – tables 2 to 8
3.3 Progression – tables 9 to 16
3.4 Achievement – tables 17 to 24
Academic developments, activities and performance4 Strategic Planning 28
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Planning and Data Analysis
4.3 Widening Participation
4.4 Community University Partnership Programme (CUPP)
4.5 Aimhigher
4.6 The Sussex Learning Network (SLN)
5 Academic developments 34
5.1 Course approvals, changes and withdrawals
5.2 Course validations
5.3 Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS)
5.4 Periodic review
5.5 Partnership developments
5.6 Northbrook College
5.7 International memoranda of co-operation and partnership
5.8 Socrates Erasmus
6 Research 39
6.1 HEFCE income
6.2 Non-HEFCE income
6.3 RAE 2008 preparation
6.4 Virtual Research Unit
6.5 Research Ethics and Governance
6.6 Research student numbers and trends
6.7 Diploma/Certificate in Research Methodology
6.8 Institutional Repository
7 Internal Quality Assurance 44
7.1 Examination and Assessment
7.2 Regulations
7.3 External Examiners
7.3 Partner college review
8 National quality assurance 47
8.1 National developments
8.2 European developments (Bologna)
8.3 Quality Assurance Agency
8.4 OFSTED
Business, commercial and financial activities9 Business Services 50
9.1. Overview
9.2 Support Mechanisms for Economic and Social Development
9.3 Economic and Social Engagement
9.4 Other Economic and Social Engagement outcomes
9.5 Entrepreneurship and Innovation
10 Finance 58
10.1 Overview
10.2 Developments
Support for learning, teaching, research and administration11 Registry overview 62
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Differential fees and bursaries
11.3 Student Administration Improvement Programme (SAIP)
11.4 Freedom of Information/Data Protection
12 Staffing 64
12.1 Post and Staff Summary 2006/07
12.2 Staff profile and diversity
12.3 Recruitment and selection of staff
12.4 Formal procedures
12.5 Leavers
12.6 Staff Sickness
12.7 Staff Development and Training
13 Centre for Learning and Teaching 86
13.1 Introduction
13.2 The university’s Learning and Teaching Strategy 2006-2007
13.3 Credit-bearing courses
13.4 Outreach work with faculties, schools and course teams
13.5 Learning Technologies
13.6 Research
13.6 Major events and activities co-ordinated by CLT
13.7 Use of student feedback
13.8 External links and developments
14 Information Services 97
14.1 Student Feedback
14.2 Investments to Improve the Student Experience
14.3 Staff Feedback
14.4 Strategy Review and Development
14.5 Quality Assurance and Benchmarking
14.6 Electronic Learning and Information Environment
14.7 Physical Learning and Information Environment
14.8 Supporting Research
14.9 Partnerships
14.10 Supporting Academic Administrative Services
14.11 Behind the Scenes: Networks and Systems
14.12 Services on The Desktop
15 Marketing and Communications 107
15.1 Corporate plan
15.2 Departmental resources
15.3 Review of 2005-06 activity
16 Residential and Catering Services 115
16.1 Residential Services
16.2 Catering Services
16.3 Conference Office
16.4 Training & Development
17 Estate and Facilities Management 121
17.1 Introduction
17.2 At Eastbourne
17.3 On the Falmer Campus
17.4 At Grand Parade –
17.5 At the Moulsecoomb site
17.6 Major maintenance
17.7 Minor Capital and Departmental Works
17.8 Cosmetic Improvements Programme
17.9 Energy, Water and the Environment
17.10 Space Management
17.11 Facilities Management
17.12 Student Feedback
18 Health and Safety 127
18.1 Key developments
18.2 Fire risks, procedures and incidents
18.3 Accidents
18.4 Training
18.5 Safety Inspections and Auditing
18.6 Health and Safety Executive
Student services and support19 Student Services 134
19.1 Introduction
19.2 New developments
19.3 Career planning and development
19.4 Chaplaincy
19.5 Disability
19.6 Health
19.7 Nurseries
19.8 Counselling
19.9 Welfare
19.10 Forward planning
20 Sport and Recreation Service (SRS) 142
20.1 Introduction
20.2 Student support
20.3 Sports Facilities
20.4 Sports Development Unit (SDU)
20.5 Local, Regional and National Developments
20.6 Learning and teaching
20.7 National Audit of Student Sport (NASS)
21 University of Brighton Students’ Union (UBSU) 148
21.1 UBSU on Campus
21.2 UBSU Publications
21.3 Student Welcome Bags
21.4 Freshers Fairs
21.5 Training & Development
21.6 UBSU Advice Centre
21.7 Course Representation
21.8 UBSU Elections
21.9 Student Activities
21.10 Societies
21.11 Sports Clubs
Introduction 1. Introduction
1 Introduction
The Annual Academic Year Review 2006-07 provides an informative and reflective overview for the Academic Board of the university’s academic support activity and performance during the period 1 August 2006 to 31 July 2007. Its intention is in particular to highlight central departments’ major developments, achievements and innovations during the period, rather than forming a comprehensive and detailed record of all the university’s activities.
The Review assists the Board to fulfil its responsibilities towards the achievement of the aims and objectives of the university’s Corporate Plan and Annual Operating Statement. University staff may also find it a useful single source of information and reference regarding the range of the university’s academic support activities.
The information contained in the Review is particularly used to support the university’s annual process for assuring academic quality and enhancement (the ‘academic health’ process). It informs and complements the annual academic health reports prepared by schools and faculties in the autumn term. Together with these reports, it forms the focus of the meeting of the Academic Standards Committee dedicated to the consideration of output from this process (to be held this year on 18th December 2007).
The timing of the production of the Review ensures that it is available at a sufficiently early stage in the academic year to contribute to debates within the university about the maintenance and enhancement of academic performance and the quality of the student experience.
The University of Brighton has produced an Annual Academic Year Review since its adoption of a University title in September 1992. It is now in its sixteenth edition.
AAYR 2006/07 - 13 - 16th Edition
Student information 2. Student recruitment and admissions
2 Student recruitment and admissions
2.1 Overview
The university enjoyed a 16 % increase in undergraduate applications for 2007 entry, compared to 2006 entry. This included a 35% rise in foundation degree applications and a 14% rise in bachelor degree applications.
A significant structural change in the Recruitment and Admissions section was the introduction of the Enquiries Team in autumn 2006, who offered a prompt and informed response to initial enquiries to the university from potential and current applicants. The Enquiries Team distributes more detailed course enquiries to subject specialists within the schools.
The Recruitment and Enquiries teams are based at Moulsecoomb whilst Admissions staff are located at the Grand Parade (part time presence), Moulsecoomb, Falmer and Eastbourne campuses, with a total of 19 staff employed in the section.
2.2 Student admissions processes and procedures
In spring 2007, the Student Administrative Improvement Programme considered processes surrounding enquiries and applications to postgraduate courses. The review involved academic and administrators from schools and central departments and reached consensus on a number of recommendations. These supported the continued roll out of the MAS database to schools with increased resource to support this process.
It was agreed to retain the assessment of tuition fee status and the issuing of formal letters in Registry Admissions.
The review highlighted a range of selection processes across the schools and highlighted some opportunities for sharing best practice.
2.3 Student applications
After an exceptional increase in undergraduate applications in 2005 and then a slight decrease in 2006, the university enjoyed a general increase in applications for 2007 entry with nearly all subject areas benefiting. Whilst Home / EU applications increased overseas applications remained stable.
Clearing again diminished in activity compared to previous years. This was partially as a result of many popular subjects not entering Clearing but it also emphasises the importance of meeting targets in the normal cycle.
2.3.1 Competitor Analysis
Analysis of 2007 entry undergraduate applications showed that where applicants to Brighton chose another university this was most likely to be Portsmouth, followed by Bournemouth. Notably, Bournemouth are closing the gap on Portsmouth as our main competitor and Southampton moved up to fifth place this year. Kingston (third) and UWE (Bristol) (fourth) yet again make up the rest of the top five competitors.
Data supplied by UCAS showed that a majority (57%) of our undergraduates’ home address is less than fifty miles from the university. This emphasises the regional nature of our undergraduate market.
2.3.2 Brighton and Sussex Medical School
The university undertakes recruitment and admissions activity for the medical school, representing BSMS at higher education fairs and process applications. The medical school continues to receive more applications than most UK medical schools, with nearly 2,450 applications for 2007 entry. About one in five applicants are called for interviewed.
A new post appointed to this year was the BSMS Admissions Officer who will support the process of choosing from the many highly qualified applicants the Medicine degree receives each year.
2.4 Education Liaison
Education Liaison Officers represented the University at various UCAS and school / college Higher Education Conventions in the South East, South West, London, the Midlands and East Anglia.
Officers also visited schools and colleges across the region, particularly at our partner schools and colleges from the Sussex Liaison Progression Accord and the Sussex & Channel Islands Progression Accord. Staff offered advice on a range of topics about higher education and university life, including student finance, personal statements and student life.
The section organised the Eastbourne, Falmer and Moulsecoomb campus Open Days in October and helped to support two Open Days at Grand Parade in February. They were a great success and, yet again, recorded their highest attendances so far, raising questions over how we can cater for the growing demand for more visit opportunities to the university. It is planned to increase the availability of campus tours in the coming year to help meet this demand.
As well as organising University open days, the section took bookings for the popular BSMS Open Days as well as providing staff support at the events.
The third annual Careers Advisors Day in June was attended by delegates from across the South East. This influential group of advisors provided positive feedback and this will continue to be part of our annual calendar of events.
2.4.1 Widening Participation
With funding from Aimhigher, two UCAS preparation days wereorganised, onefor local Access students and the other for Year 13 pupils. We had over300 Access students from 10 different collegesandover 200 Year 13 pupils from 8 schools attend the events.These events are planned to run againthis September.
As part of Aimhigher Sussex we ran sessions for local pupils in Creative Writing, Sports Science, and Philosophy. These ran in conjunction with general sessions about higher education across the university, as well as staff and student ambassadors visiting schools. Working with Aimhigher nationally, wewelcomed a group of Year 12 pupils from Aimhigher Norfolk for a two day stay in July and, following its success, hope to increase such visits to the university.
The Summer School did not run at Brighton this year as reduced HEFCE funding has resulted in this being alternated between Brighton and Sussex on an annual basis.
Recruitment in the Channel Islands continued its successful progress this year with the university represented at both islands’ HE fairs and numerous parents evenings. The Widening Participation programme on the islandscontinues to work with pupils from year 9 upwardsvisiting schools and colleges throughout the year, some of whom the university has had contact with for five years now. The academic yearfinishedoff withayear 10 residential visitfrom two schoolsin Julywith academic sessions in art, science, sport and humanities along with social activities in the evening.
More locally, student ambassadors have been meeting with pupils, providing general HE information and visits to the university to see our facilities. Links are growing stronger and we hope to have more pupils involved next academic year.
2.4.2 Surveys
The Statistical Consultancy Unit (SCU) ran its annual “Why Choose Brighton” survey of first year and “insurance” (i.e. Brighton was their second choice) undergraduate students. Generally, the findings corresponded with previous years with availability of chosen subject and the “Brighton factor” being the main positive factors, whilst fears over money, availability of halls and the general high cost of living in the area were the main negative factors.
The survey highlighted a continuing shift towards greater use of electronic communication but the prospectus remains an important part of the overall communications package. A new question highlighted a desire amongst applicants for greater detail at subject / course level.
Hobson’s national survey mirrored many of these findings and confirmed Brighton as one of the best known new universities, although Portsmouth and Bournemouth are both also in a strong position.
2.5 Postgraduate Recruitment
Whilst Registry Recruitment and Admissions postgraduate activity mainly related to the processing of applications, involvement in the SAIP Review (see above) was beneficial and identified some duplication of effort between schools and Registry that could be eliminated and improve the efficiency of processes.
2.6 International recruitment
2.6.1 Total full-time and part-time International numbers for 2006-2007 [including as UG, FDs run on University of Brighton campuses not Partner Colleges including UCH] compared to 2004/05, 2005/06, according to SPU’s Actuals and Targets based on HESES returns from December each year..
Full-time / Total / Part-time / Total / Grand TotalUG / PGT / PGR / UG / PGT / PGR
2004/05 / 577 / 268 / 44 / 889 / 50 / 51 / 10 / 111 / 1,000
2005/06 / 566 / 285 / 58 / 913 / 49 / 123 / 17 / 189 / 1,102
2006/07 / 543 / 313 / 41 / 899 / 106 / 43 / 13 / 221 / 1,120
2.6.2 Whilst overall international student numbers show an upward trend, within that, although there is a clear upward trend in full-time PG taught numbers, there is a clear downward trend in full-time UG enrolments. This can partly be explained by the attractiveness to international students of a one-year UK taught Masters with the opportunity to work for one year on successful completion [this has now been extended from 2007 entry to successful UG students as part of the International Graduate Scheme: IGS]. It is also the case, however, that without a University of Brighton Foundation Year [compared to Study Group’s collaboration with Sussex, INTO and Kaplan with other UK universities] and dependence on Partner College provision, with progression currently not guaranteed, recruitment onto University of Brighton UG programmes is made much more difficult compared to our competitors. A three/four year investment, to completion of a UK UG programme, is also prohibitively expensive in many traditional international markets, especially when combined with the cost of living in the UK and the South-East, compared to alternative programmes in the US, Australia or Canada or other countries within the EU [delivered in English].