ARTSUNIVERSITYBOURNEMOUTH

ACADEMIC BOARD

AdmissionsPolicy(revised2014)

TheMissionof theArtsUniversityBournemouthis to be the leading professional Arts Universitydedicated to turning creativity to careers. ArtsUniversityBournemouthaimsto createastudentbodythatis balancedanddiverseintermsof culturalbackgroundand experience and recruitstudentswhohavetheabilitytosuccessfullycompletetheirchosencourse.

ArtsUniversityBournemouthwillachievetheseaimsthrough:

•Encouragingapplicationsfrom allthosewiththemotivationandacademicabilitytothrive attheUniversity,whatevertheirbackground

•Assessingeachapplicationonanindividualbasis

•Offeringplacestoapplicantswhohavethepotentialtosuccessfullycompletetheircourse

•Transparencyintheadmissionsprocess.

TheprinciplesandproceduresthroughwhichtheUniversityassessesapplicationsandoffers placesaredesignedtobe:

•Fair

•Transparent

•Accessible

•Easilyunderstoodbyapplicants

•Consistentlyappliedacrossallcourses

This policy is consistent with good admissions practice in higher education, as defined in the Quality Assurance Agency’s UK Quality Code for Higher Education* and the Schwartz recommendations for Good Practice**, and complies with current legislation affecting the admission of students.

*The Quality Assurance Agency's UK Quality Code for Higher Education (2013) Chapter B2: Recruitment, selection and admission to higher education - October 2013
**Admissions to Higher Education Steering Group (2004) Fair admissions to higher education: Recommendations for good practice

TheUniversityis committedtotheprovisionof aworkingand learningenvironment foundedon dignity,respectandequitywhereunfairdiscriminationof anykindis treatedwith theutmostseriousness.Ithasdevelopedand implementedaSingleEqualitiesScheme (SES)toguideitswork inthisarea.AlltheUniversitypoliciesandpracticesaredesignedto meettheprinciplesof dignity,respectandfairness,andtakeaccountof thecommitmentsset out inthe SES.

  1. Qualificationsforentry

Itis thepolicyof theUniversityonlytoadmitstudentswhoareabletodemonstratethe potentialtobenefitfrom,andtheabilitytosuccessfullycompleteitscoursesof study.Entry requirements fortheUniversityis setbyAcademicBoardandreviewedannually.

Detailsof entryrequirementsforeachcourseare availableontheUniversity’s website andtheUCASwebsite.

TheUniversitywelcomesapplicationsfrom appropriatelyqualifiedstudents, acceptingawide rangeof Level 3 qualifications,including,Foundationcourses,InternationalBaccalaureate,BTEC NationalDiploma,Alevels,AdvancedDiplomaandAccesstoHEcourses.International qualificationswillbeconsideredandevaluatedbyreferringtoindependentlypublishedguides recognisedwithintheUnitedKingdomhighereducationsectorsuchasUKNARIC and UCAS.

TheUniversitywillacceptapplicationsto the2nd and 3rdyearof degreecourses,ifthereare vacancies,applicationshouldbemadeviaUCASandapplicantswillbe offeredaninterview oran electronic portfolioreview.

TheUniversitywillacceptapplicationsfrommaturecandidates(studentsover21 years,as definedbyUCAS).

All applicants shouldapplyvia UCAS. Applicantsaged21oroverwhodonotholdtheentrancerequirements,maystill beconsideredbyAUB.A widerangeof credentials,includingworkexperienceandtraining, maybe acceptedasevidenceof capacityto benefitfrom adegreecourseandtocompleteit successfully.Accreditationof priorlearning(APL)canbeusedinfurtherandhighereducation forthepurposeof entryontoacourse.Accreditationof priorexperientiallearning(APEL)is an extensionof APLand includesassessedlearninggainedfromworkexperience.

Applicantswhohavenonstandardqualificationsorwho wishworkexperienceto betakeninto accountaspartof theirapplication,willbeconsideredonanindividualbasis,in linewiththe generalaimsandprinciplesof theAdmissionsPolicyandwiththetermsof theAccreditationof Prior Experience/Learning(AP(E)L)Policy.

TheUniversitydoesnothavethefacilityto offerlevel2qualificationstostudentsandso expectsallapplicantstohold,orbeintheprocessof obtaining,at least5GCSE subjects at grade C or above, or equivalents;whichmustincludeEnglishandMathematics.

Teaching and assessment will take place in English. Therefore, applicants must be competent in the English language and we require at least GCSE English at grade C or an equivalent qualification.

If the applicant is not a national of a majority English speaking country (eg Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British (not including the British National Overseas category) Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA) and you have not completed your education in one of the above countries you will need to submit evidence of meeting the University’s minimum English Language requirements before starting your course.

Internationalapplicantswho require a studentvisamayhaveto takean Englishlanguagetest approvedbytheUKVI,rfurtherinformationandadvice.

  1. Monitoring

AcademicBoardis responsibleforthesettingof entrycriteriaforcourses.Decisionson applicationsaremadebyacademic staffandprocessedcentrallyin Registrybythe AdmissionsTeam in accordance with the admissions policy.

  1. Commitmenttoconsistency,fairnessandtransparency

TheUniversitywebsiteshallprovideclearinformationontheentrycriteria,bothacademicand non-academic,foreachcourse. TheUniversityshallpublishitsAdmissionsPolicyaswellas itsprinciplesandproceduresonitswebsite.Clearcriteriaforentrywillbe providedforeach course.ThesecriteriashallbereplicatedbytheUniversityon itswebsite,ontheUCAS websiteandinanypublications.Allapplicationsshallbeconsideredagainstthesecriteria.

Informationforapplicantsincludes:

•Informationin any prospectus, directoryandon theUniversitywebsite

•UCASwebsite,thisincludes:acceptedqualifications,standardoffers,interview informationincludingwhatis expectedin aportfolio,detailsof the interviewprocess.

•PrecourseenquiriesforHomeandEUstudentsarehandledbyAdmissions.Enquiries from OverseasandIslandsstudents are handled bytheInternationalOffice.

•InformationatOpenDaysincludescoursespecifictalksandtoursof thecourseareaby academicstaff.Admissionsstaff will givetalksontheapplicationprocessfrom applicationto confirmationand StudentSupportstaffcoveraccommodation,financeandsupport services.

•Applicants who are calledto interviewaresent links toPortfolioGuidesandcomprehensiveguidance whichcoverstheinterviewprocess,typesof offerandhowfeedbackwillbe providedto unsuccessfulapplicants.

•Applicantsholdingan offerarecontactedfrequentlyviatheapplicantportal (MyApplication)withinformationabouttheircourse,accommodationandalsotocomplete tasksinpreparationforenrolment,suchasupdatingaddressesandsubmittingan ID photograph.

•AllapplicantsholdingafirmofferaresentaWelcomePackduringlatesummer.

TheAssistantRegistrar(Admissions)willensureallHEcourseinformation;theentry requirementsandinterviewinformationarecorrectlylistedontheUCAS websiteandwill updateUCASon anychangesoradditions.

Marketingwillpublishpublicitymaterials,withthepriorapprovalof the Deans.

Allstudentadmissionsarecoordinatedbyacentralisedadmissionsteam toensurefairness andconsistency.TheAdmissionsteam,withinRegistry,mustfollowtheproceduresand principlessetout in thisdocumentandensurethattheyworkinawaythatis consistentwiththe University’sAdmissionsPolicy.Allapplicationsarecheckedbyadmissionstoensuretheyare complete,meetminimumentryrequirements, fee status is checked and that theinformationheldin SITSis accurate.

  1. Training

Allstaffinvolvedin admissions will haveregularbriefingsandtraining.TrainingfortheAdmissions TeamandtheInternationalofficeismainlyin-house,providedbythe AssistantRegistrar, Admissions,whoproducesanAdmissionsGuide.Thisguideinupdatedpriortothestartof eachcycle.TheAdmissionsteam also attendregularUCAStraining,SITStraininganduseand refertoUCASmanualsand SPAgoodpracticeguides.

TheAssistantRegistrar(Admissions)providesanannualtrainingsessiontoallstaffinvolved in interviewsandtheadmissionsprocesswhichhighlightsissuessuchasUCASchanges, qualificationupdatesandchangesto internalproceduresrelatingto admissions.A Guideto HEAdmissions and Paperless processingforAcademicstaffis updatedannuallyand is availableonthe intranetand distributedaftertrainingsessions.

Itis theresponsibilityof the Deanstoensurethatall academic staff involved in the admissions process understandand supporttheUniversity’sadmissionsaims,principlesandprocedures,arecompetenttomake soundandfairjudgments,areappropriatelytrainedandhavesufficientresourcesandtimeto carryouttheirresponsibilitieseffectively.AdmissionsTutorsworkcloselywiththestaffof the Admissionsteam withinRegistry.

  1. ProcessingApplications

Inordertoensureconsistencyandfairness,thegeneralprinciplesandproceduressetout in thispapermustbefollowedbyallstaff.

Allapplicationsareconsideredon an equalbasis,againstentrycriteria.Applications arenotsegregatedbytype of educationalinstitutionattendedorbyanyothercriteria.Each applicationwillbe treatedindividuallyandarangeof criteriafrom theapplicationwillbetaken intoaccountto identifytheapplicant’sabilitytomeetthedemandsof thecourse.This includes:

•Pastacademicperformance

•School/college/employerreference

•Predictedqualifications/grades

•Commitment,motivationandpotential

•Relevantexperience

•Matchbetweenapplicantsandcorrectcourse.

InagreementwiththeDeans, courseleadersmaydecidetoofferinterviewstoall applicantswhomeetorwillmeetentryrequirements.Courseswithhighnumbersof applicationsmaychooseto selectthosetheywishto interview.Thesecourseswilloffer interviewsto allapplicantswhoholdorwillholdacertainlevelof qualificationandthenselect from theremainingapplicantsthosetheyjudgetobe suitable for the course.

Entryonto some coursesis competitiveandthe Universityreceivesmore applicationsthanthereareplacesforcoursessonoteveryapplicantwillbe selectedforinterview. Most courseswillinterviewallapplicantswhomeet entryrequirements.

TheUniversitywillpublishportfolioguidesandasimpleguidetotheapplicationprocessonits website. Applicantsarestronglyencouragedto attendanOpenDayifpossible.AtOpen Days staffareavailableto giveinformationaboutthe AUBanditsfacilities,thecourses, adviceoncoursechoiceandapplicationprocedures.

Applicantsmayberequestedto completeaFee StatusAssessmentFormtodeterminetheir correctfeestatus.

Admissions will record all key communication with the applicant on their application record in E:Vision.

  1. Interviews

(BA (Hons) Acting and BA (Hons) Dance holdauditions:theterm interviewencompassesbothinterviewsandauditions)

Applicantsinvitedto interviewwillbe notifiedbyemailand viaMyApplicationat leasttwo weeksbeforetheinterviewdate.ApplicantsrespondviaMyApplicationandcanacceptor requesta reschedule.Reschedulingrequestswillbeaccommodatedwheneverpossible.

Interviewsintendedtoselectstudentsmustbeconductedbytwomembersof staff whohave undergoneAdmissionsTraining;oratrainedmemberofstaffandastudentambassador, howeverstudentsin attendanceat interviewsarenotdecisionmakersandareonlypresentto assistwiththesmoothrunningof theday.

Theinterviewandconsequentdecision-makingwillbe consistentwiththeUniversity’spolicy onequalopportunities.Questionsrelatedtotherace,ethnicity,nationality,gender,sexuality, religionorageof theapplicantmustnotbe raisedeitherattheintervieworinsubsequent discussion.However,applicantsareaskedto discloseanydisabilitytotheUniversitypriorto interviewtoensurethatanynecessaryadjustmentscanbemadeto assisttheprocess.The facultymustsetcriteriaformeasuringacandidate'sperformanceatinterview.

There is a standard interview process usedbyallstafftoensureparity. All decisionsat interviewarerecordedviaE:Vision andthenreturnedelectronicallyto Admissionsforprocessing. Course staff may choose to record their feedback electronically or via a paper version of this form, this will then be uploaded via in E: Vision. Somecoursesmayrequirea secondlevelof authorisationinwhichcasethe decisions are forwarded electronically totheCourseLeaderforauthorisationbeforebeingreturnedtoadmissions.

Whenviewingportfoliosadmissionstutorsare lookingfor:evidenceof ability,motivationand potential.Theadmissiontutormayask theapplicantto discussthework intheirportfolio.

ForapplicantswhoarebasedoutsidetheUKandareunabletoattendinterviewsAdmissions haveaportfoliorequestprocesswhichinvitesapplicantstosendalink toanonlineportfolio, orsubmitaportfoliotoadmissionsbyemailorpost. AdmissionsmayalsoarrangeaSkype interview.

TheUniversitydoesnotrequireapplicantsto undergoadditionaltests at interview.

  1. Late Applications

Applicants who apply by the UCAS equal consideration deadline will receive full and equal consideration. Later applications will be considered on an individual basis if there are still places available on the relevant course.

Lateapplicationsto PreparationforHEcourseandPostGraduatecourses willbe considered onanindividualbasis,andonlywheretherearestillplacesavailableonthecourse.

  1. Criteriaforassessingapplicants

TheDeansof Facultymustsetcriteriathatsupportthe AUBadmissions aimsandareinaccordancewiththeprinciplesandprocedures.Admissionstutorsare expectedtousethecriteriasettodecidewhetheran offercanbemade.Thesecriteria includeacademicachievementandpotentialaswellasothernon-academicfactors.The AdmissionsTeamwillcheckapplicantqualificationsto ensurethecorrectofferis madeand thatapplicantsmeet,orwillmeet,academicentryrequirements.

TheDeansof Facultymaysetentryrequirementsthatarehigherthan thosesetbyAcademicBoardandmayinsistonspecifiedperformanceinaparticularsubject atGCSE,Alevelorotherexamination.

ThePersonalStatementandReferenceprovideimportantsupplementaryindicationsof ability, motivationandpotential,aswellasinformationaboutpersonalcircumstances.Theyareread andtakenintoaccountinreachingadecision.Criteriaforassessingthe PersonalStatement mayinclude,forexample:

•Demonstratedinterestinandcommitmenttothesubject

•Evidenceof clearthinkingandunderstanding

•Appropriatenessof thecourseinrelationtothecandidate'sdeclaredinterestsandcareer aspirations

•Non-academicachievementorextra-curricularintereststhat indicatethe likelycontribution acandidatewillmaketothelifeof theUniversity.

However Academic staff must be aware that references can vary from the very brief to the expansive and are not within the control of the applicant.

Allowanceshallbemadeforanycandidatewithverifiedexceptionalcircumstancesorwhohas faceddifficultchallengesin apositiveway, wherethesearemadeknownto theUniversity(e.g.illness,deathof aparent,disruptededucation,refugeestatus).Admissionstutorsmaydecideto offeraplacetoa candidatewhoseacademicperformanceappearstohavebeen affectedbysuchcircumstancesandwhomightotherwisehavebeenexpectedto dobetter.

Candidatesarenotdiscriminatedagainston thegroundsof race,ethnicity,nationality,gender, sexuality,religion,disabilityorage.Noconditionof entryshallbe imposedwhichmembersof aparticulargroupare lesslikelyto beabletosatisfythanotherapplicantsnotof thatgroup, unlesssuchaconditionis justifiableonacademicgrounds.

Considerationof applicationsfrom studentswhodeclareadisabilityis basedonthesame criteriaandprinciplesasforothercandidates.Assistancewillbegiventodisabledapplicants throughtheSeniorDisabilityOfficertoensurethattheirneedscanbe metbythe Universityto enablethem tosuccessfullycompletetheirchosencourse.TheSeniorDisabilityOfficeris automaticallynotifiedof allapplicantswhodeclareadisabilitybyautomatedreport.TheSeniorDisabilityOfficeris alsonotifiedifan applicantwithadisabilityis invitedto interview and is abletocontactthempriorto interviewtomakeanynecessaryarrangementstoassist theapplicant.Studentsareexpectedtomanagetheirlifecircumstances,andshouldnot acceptaplaceontoacourseiftheyareunabletocommitsufficienttimetothe course.

Applicationsfrom studentswhohavenon-standardqualificationsorwho wishworkorlife experienceto be takenintoaccountaspartof theirapplicationwillbeconsideredonan individualbasis.

TheUniversitydoesnotsetanyagerequirementsforundergraduatecourses;butapplicants willbeexpectedtodemonstrateamatureapproachto thestudyof theirsubjectwhichincludes demonstrableskillsof criticalanalysis,contextualknowledgeandtheabilitytomanagetheir owntimewithouttheexternalimpositionof afulldailytimetable.

Thereis aminimumageof 16on1stSeptemberinyearof entryfor PreparationforHE courses.Applicantsto theFoundationDiplomain ArtandDesignwillnormallyhavecompleted anA level,orequivalentlevel3 course.

Applicantsarerequiredtodiscloserelevantcriminalconvictionsontheapplicationform.Admissionsstaff willdisregardanycriminalconvictionswhicharespentunderthetermsof the Rehabilitationof OffendersAct1974,unlesstheprogrammeof studyis likelytobringthe studentintocontactwithchildrenorvulnerableadults.Whereanapplicanthasanunspent(or spent,inrelevantcases)conviction,adecisionon whetherto offeraplacewillbe madebythe Dean of Faculty inconsultationwiththeCourseLeader.

  1. UCASSimilarityDetectionServiceandFraudulentapplications

Allpersonalstatementssupportingapplicationsto highereducation processedthroughUCASarecheckedwithaspeciallydevelopedversionof thesimilarity detectionsystem,Institutionsare notifiedof anycases wheretherearereasonablegroundstosuspectcollusion.Applicantsare alsonotifiedthattheUCASSimilarityDetectionServicehas identifiedtheirpersonalstatement aspotentiallyplagiarised.Theseapplicantsmayberequestedtosubmitanewpersonal statementiftheyareselectedforinterview. UCAShas averificationunitworkingto identifyfraudulentapplications.Anyattemptby applicantstoprovidefalse,misleadinginformationcouldleadtotheirapplicationbeing cancelled.

TheUniversitymayatanytimeask theapplicant,theirrefereeortheiremployerto provide moreinformationabouttheapplication(forexample,proofof identity,evidenceto assessfee status,copiesof qualificationsoremploymenthistory).

Thediscoverythatanyinformationdisclosedon an applicationorenrolmentformis fraudulent, ortheomissionof relevantinformation(forexamplean unspentcriminalconviction)willresult intheofferof aplacebeingwithdrawn.Thisincludesfailureto disclosequalificationsof an equivalentorhigherlevelto theawardforwhichthestudentis enrolled.

TheUniversityis requiredto takereasonablestepsto ensureapplicantshavedeclaredanyqualificationsgainedatanequivalentorhigherleveltotheawardfor whichtheyareapplying.Thiswill involveconsultingdatabasesfrom statutoryagenciestoascertainanypreviousqualifications gained.

Shouldthisinformationcometolightfollowingenrolment,this willnormallyleadtocancellation of thestudent’sregistrationonaUniversitycourse.

TheUniversityreservestherighttoexcludeacandidatewhois consideredon justifiable groundstobeunsuitableforaplaceon aparticularcourseorforattendanceattheUniversity ingeneral.

  1. Responsibilityofapplicantsintheapplicationprocess

It is the responsibility of applicants to provide full and accurate information in an application and to notify the University of any changes or corrections to the original application.By accepting an offer the applicant agrees to abide by therules and regulationsof the University. If the University becomes aware that an applicant, prior to registering as a student, has failed to abide by these rules and regulations an offer to study may be withdrawn.

In the light of additional information which was not available at the time of selection, an offer may be amended or, in exceptional circumstances, withdrawn. The University also reserves the right to correct errors where they have been made in the communication of decisions and offers.

The University reserves the right to exclude a candidate who is considered on justifiable grounds to be unsuitable for a place on a particular programme according to individual circumstances.

  1. Offers

FacultywillinformtheAssistantRegistrar,Admissionsof theirofferrangeandcriteria.The levelsofConditionaloffersmademustnormallybe in linewithpublishedentry requirementsandmaynotvarysubstantiallyfrom these.

Differentlevelsof offermaybemadetomeetindividualcircumstances.Thesewillnotbe higherthanthestandardoffer.Theyarenotmadeonthebasisof theeducationalsectorfrom whichthecandidateisapplying.

Indecidingthenumberof offerstobemade,historicconversiontrends(intermsoffer-to-enrolment)willbetakenintoaccount.

AfterinterviewdecisionsaresentelectronicallytoUCAS.Applicantsshouldallowupto10 daysfortheirapplicationto beprocessed.Howevertheadmissionsteam strivesto processall decisionsasquicklyaspossible,themajorityof decisionswillbesentto UCASwithin3 workingdaysof the interviewtakingplace.

Anofferletteris thensentfrom admissionstotheapplicantbymail.Thisletterstatesthe conditions of offer,course,startandenddate.A copy of the terms of offer is sent electronically via MyApplication.

Where an applicant has applied through UCAS the University will communicate our decision through the official channels of UCAS.

Where an applicant has applied directly to the University, a formal decision will be made and communicated directly to the applicant by the central Admissions office.

Where a candidate has applied for one course and is not successful, an alternative programme may be offered. The alternative offer will be officially communicated via UCAS, and candidates will also be contacted by the University to confirm and discuss a changed offer decision.

An offer, whether conditional or unconditional, will be made in good faith taking into account information as supplied by the applicant and/or referee at the time of the application

The Admissions Office is responsible for all communications with UCAS, including the transmission of admissions decisions.

  1. Confirmation of results

‘Confirmation’ refers to the period in August each year when the University receives examination results for applicants who have accepted Conditional offers. Applicants who achieve the grades required by their Conditional offer have their place confirmed. Applications from candidates who have not met the required grades exactly are reviewed and their places may be confirmed if space is available, although no guarantee is made that this will be possible.

All conditions of offers must normally be met in full by 12 noon on the 31 August (UCAS deadline) to guarantee a place for entry in the year of application. If conditions are met after this point, the applicant’s situation is considered on an individual basis.

The Confirmation procedure includes receiving and processing electronic data from UCAS which, in turn, receives and processes electronic results data from the examination boards. The University reserves the right to amend the offer in light of an electronic error.

Applicantswhonarrowlymissmeetingtheacademicrequirementsin theirconditionaloffer, maybe acceptedat "Confirmation",providedthattheirqualificationsdonotfallbelowthe minimumentrylevelandthereare vacancies.

TheUniversitymayacceptstudentsduringthe "Clearing"periodwithgradeslowerthanthe normalmainstreamrequirement,shouldtherebe placesavailable.Allapplicantsmustmeet theminimumentrylevel.

  1. International Students and confirmation

As part of the University’s UKVI Tier 4 Sponsor Licence, the University is required to view and maintain copies of all international students’ current passport and visa (valid for study at the Arts University) along with original qualification documents on the basis of which admission was granted to the University.

The University undertakes these checks as part of the registration process upon arrival. We cannot permit an international student to enrol/register at the University without undertaking this process. In addition to the documentation required as part of our UKVI Tier 4 Sponsor Licence commitments we will also store any other documentation sent to us in support of an application.

  1. Applicantstowhomanofferisnotmade

TheUniversitysendsfeedbacktoeveryapplicantto whom itis unableto makeanoffer.HEIs areabletoprovidefeedbacktounsuccessfulapplicantsthroughUCAS.ThroughUCASthe admissionsteam sendan unsuccessful(REJ)decisiontogetherwithabriefreasonforthe rejection.Thereasonforrejectiontextisavailableforapplicantsto viewonTrack.Thisis followedupbyaportalmessageviaMyApplicationoutliningthereasonforrejection

Feedbackwillonlybeprovidedtotheapplicantsthemselvesandwillbe inreferencetothe selectioncriteriaandadmissionsprocesses.Applicantsnotselectedforinterviewandwhowill notbemadean offerwillbenotifiedwithin4weekseitherdirectlybytheUniversityorvia UCAS

Anyrequestforanyfurtherfeedbackmustberequestedinwriting.Applicantsshouldcontact byemail.Writtenfeedbackwillbesentto applicantsbythe AssistantRegistrar(Admissions).Applicantsshouldnotcontactthecourseleaderorthecourseteams.The provisionof furtherfeedbackdoesnotconstituteareconsiderationof an application.The decisionmadebythecourseteamandapprovedbyCourseLeaderis final.

AnyconcernsthattheUniversity’sadmissionsprinciplesandprocedureshavebeenincorrectlyimplementedmaybeaddressedtotheDirector of Finance and Planning.

  1. RequestsforDeferralorwithdrawal

Ifanapplicantwishesto requestadeferralof entrytothefollowing year,theyshouldindicate thisontheirapplicationform,orputina requestbyemailtoAdmissionsassoonaspossible aftersubmittinganapplication.Requestsfordeferralafteranofferhasbeenmadewillbe considered.Applicantsshouldcontactthe Admissionsteam

Applicantswho wishto withdrawafteran offerhasbeenmademustcontact

AdmissionsPolicyontheacceptanceofex-offenders

TheUniversitytakesveryseriouslyitsdutyof careto itsexistingstaffandstudents.The Universitywillconsiderthewiderissues,includingtheinterestsandsafetyof theUniversity communitypriorto offeringanyapplicantaplacetostudy.Thefollowingfactorsshouldbe takenintoconsideration:

•Natureof theoffence

•Lengthof timesincetheoffence

•Numberof offences

•Emotionalmaturityof theapplicantat thetimeof theoffence

•Punishmentgiven.

Particularcarewillbetakenwhereitis likelythat,duringtheprogramof study,studentsare likelytocomeintocontactwithchildrenorwithvulnerableadults.

Applicantswhodeclareacriminalconvictionon an applicationformmaybeputon holduntil theapplicationhas beenconsideredbyanAdmissionsPanel.TheUniversityhastherightto rejectanyapplicationorlaterterminateregistrationfrom anindividualwhois subsequently foundto haveomittedorfalsifiedinformationinrelationtohis/herapplication.

  1. ChangestoCourses

Occasionallyitmaybenecessarytomakechangesto acoursebetweenthetimeof anofferof aplaceis madeandtheenrolmentof studentsontothatcourse.Ifthisoccurs,theUniversity willensurethatprospectivestudentsareinformedattheearliestopportunityof anysignificant changestoacourseandwillbeadvisedof alloptionsopentothem.Thismayincludeanoffer ontoasimilarcourseina similarsubjectarea.

Intheeventof adegreecoursenotrunningapplicantswillbeadvisedbyadmissionsandsent aUCAS‘notificationof discontinuedcourse’form.Applicantswillbe contactedassoonas possibleandwherepossibleanalternatecoursewillbe offered.Applicantswhodo notwishto beconsideredforanothercourseatAUBwillbeableto chooseanotherinstitutionandcourseviaUCAS.

  1. ScholarshipandBursaries

TheUniversityhas enteredintoan AccessAgreementwiththeOfficeforFairAccess(OFFA)

whichsetsouthowitwillsafeguardandpromotefairaccess. ThebursariesandscholarshipsrelatedtotheUniversityAccessAgreementforundergraduate applicantswillbe administeredseparatelyfrom applications.FromtimetotimetheUniversity willconsiderformallinkstoothercoursesorschoolswhichmayleadtoformalarrangements ortotheestablishmentof compacts.TheselinksmaybepartoftheUniversity’sWidening Participationwork.

  1. SharingdatawithStudentFinanceEngland(SFE)

ApplicantswhosenormalresidenceisEngland,WalesandNorthernIrelandwillbeinvitedto allowUCAStosharerelevantdetailsof theirapplicationwithStudentFinance.Thiswillallow the SFEtohaveup to date informationaboutwherean applicanthasbeenplacedafter confirmationandforwhichcourse;whichinturn, willassiststudentsintheircompletionof applicationsforfinancialsupportand itssubsequentdistributionatthestartof thecourse.

Inorderforusto assesswhetherapplicantsareeligiblebothapplicantandsponsor (parent/carer/guardian)mustagreetoshareinformationregardingapplyingforbursaries.If applicantsdo notdothisthenitisimportantthatboththeapplicantsandsponsorcontact StudentFinance.

  1. AccessAgreement

TheUniversityhas devisedarangeof supportmechanismstoencourageapplicationsfrom, andsubsequentretentionof,studentsfrom under-representedgroups.

TheUniversity’sAccessAgreementasapprovedbytheOfficeforFairAccess(OFFA)and includesinformationon bursariesandotherfinancialsupportforstudents.Thefullscopeof thissupportcanbeseenin the AccessAgreementwhichwillbeavailableonline.

FurtherInformationaboutTheAccessto LearningFund(forUKHigherEducationstudents), LearnerSupportFund(forUKand EU PrepHEstudents),andOverseasEmergencyFund (for internationalstudents)is availableonlineorfrom StudentSupport.Email:

  1. DataProtection

InaccordancewithTheDataProtectionAct1998theUniversitymustprotectthe information disclosedon anyaspectof anapplication.In linewiththislegislationweareunableto discuss anyaspectof anapplicationwithathirdpartyunlesswereceiveconfirmationfrom the applicantin writingstatingUCASnumberorstudentnumber,courseappliedfor,dateof birth, detailsof theperson(s)theapplicantwishesto allowthisprivilegeanda satisfactoryreason whythis is required.Thisdoesnotmeanthatwewillrefusetoacceptinformationfrom athird partywithreferencetoan applicationbutwewillnotdiscloseinformationwithoutpermission.

Admissions staff are notinthepositiontosharetheapplicant’spersonaldetailswiththe requestedthirdparty.Thedetailscouldbetheapplicantsaddressortelephonenumber,date of birthornameof School.Ifthethirdpartymemberbelievesthesedetailsarewrong. Admissionswillnotacceptchangesfrom anyoneotherthantheapplicantin writing.

  1. AdmissionsComplaintsProcedure

Weaimtohandlecomplaintsconfidentially,fairlyandquickly.If an applicant complains-

•Wewillendeavourtosolveproblemsinformally(whereappropriate)

•Wewillacknowledgereceiptof thereferredcomplaintwithinsevenworkingdays.

•Weaimtoprovideafullresponsetothecomplaintwithin20 workingdays.

•Wewillrecordallcomplaintsandtheactiontakenand retaindetailson file.

  1. Howtomakeacomplaint

Complaintsmaybemadeinperson,byphone,emailorbyletterto:

Admissions- ArtsUniversityBournemouth,Wallisdown,PooleBH125HH Telephone:

Complaintsmadeinpersonorbyphonewill,forthemostpart,beresolvedimmediately and informallybymembersof theadmissionsteam.Ifthisis notpossiblethenafull responsewillbeprovidedwithin20 workingdays.Formalwrittencomplaintswillbereferredto the AssistantRegistrar(Admissions)and acknowledgedwithinsevenworkingdays.

Applicantswillbekeptinformedof theprogressof their complaintandonceinvestigated willbeinformedof theoutcome.Ifatanystageof the investigation,thedeadlineforprovidingafullresponseis likelytobe missedapplicantswillbe informedandgiventhereasonforthedelayandanewdate whenafullresponseis expected.

  1. TelephoneComplaints

Themajorityof telephonecomplaintswillbe dealtwithinformallybyamemberof the admissionteam.Ifaresponsesatisfiesthecomplainantthenthedetailsarerecordedand retainedonfile.

Ifacomplaintcannotbedealtwithimmediately,thedetailsshouldberecordedso thatthe mattercanbeproperlyreferredand investigated. Therewillbe timeswhenthepersonreceivingthecomplaintis nottherightpersonto dealwith it.In thatcasethecaller,orthe information,willbe passedtothememberof staff responsible.

  1. WrittenComplaints

Allwrittencomplaintswillberecordedandshouldbe broughttotheattentionof theAssistant Registrar(Admissions).Somewillbedealt with‘onthespot’otherswillrequirefurther investigationorreferral. Whereacomplaintrequiresreferraland investigation:

Anacknowledgementwillbesentwithinsevenworkingdays.

Thereplywillsetoutthecomplaintandsaywhetherornotamistakehasbeenmadeand givea reasonforthedecision.Allwrittencomplaintswillreceiveawrittenreply,eitherbyemailorpost, within20days, ornotificationof reasonforanydelay.

A complaintthatcannotberesolvedbyAdmissionswillbereferredto theDeputyVice Chancellor.

Admissions Policy (Revised 2014)

Page 1 of 13