External CPD report
IF staff:Emma PatonTitle, date and timings of external CPD attended:
UCAS convention-Surrey Higher Education Exhibition, Monday 13th March 2017
What you learnt and how it will enhance your work for Inspiring Futures:
1. Unconditional Offers on the Rise:
A number of universities mentioned that they had seen a rise in the number of students holding unconditional offers. The motivation for making unconditional offers was argued by several universities as a way of attracting good students away from their first choices or was seen by other universities as simply chasing students to fill less popular courses. The prevailing view was that generally unconditional offers make for difficult decision-making for students; either they opt for a course that is not their preference or they don’t work hard for their A levels (or in one case mentioned, don’t take them at all…). Obviously both of these outcomes do not advantage the student in any way. Perhaps the most useful conclusion to draw from this is to recognise that, as advisers, we need to counsel caution if any of our clients do receive unconditional offers.
2. Response to Degree Apprenticeships:
Predictably the more vocational course providers were positive about the growth in degree apprenticeships. Many were actively seeking to add these to their offerings to students through increasing their liaison with relevant employers looking to offer degree apprenticeships. All of these universities (such as Southampton Solent, Buckingham, Chichester) believed that they provide an attractive alternative to college-leavers but that they would not suit everyone and so should sit alongside vocational undergraduate courses. In particular, the lack of the ‘student-life experience’ was cited as being the greatest drawback of the apprenticeship route. There is the need for Advisers to be cautious when mentioning these opportunities in that they may not be right for everyone (although are indeed a great opportunity for some)
3. Alternative’ degree courses are becoming increasingly popular eg-Ethical hacking at Abertay. Whilst introduced in 2006, they are the university to offer a Masters programme in Ethical hacking. Dundee where Abertay is situated is known for its affordability, supportive environment and is hoe to Scotland’s booming games industry – where Grand theft auto and Lemmings started!
Entry requirements at undergraduate level include: A LevelBCC Essential subjects (one of the following): Architecture, Engineering, Geology, Applied Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Maths or Physics. Core skills learnt on this course include penetration testing, network management, computer programming or web development and courses are approved by BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT. Whilst this course may be more at the lower end in terms of entry, it is worth noting, (and mentioning to those students who may be interested) particularly due to its ‘on trend’ relevance in the current climate eg-popularity and demand for career. This course will help enhance our work as it offers opportunity for those keen to work within this growing sector.
4. Funding opportunities within popular courses
Criminology and Psychology remain ever growing popular courses with institutions including Gloucestershire being provided with funding to offer sophisticated mock scene investigations to enable students to work in the community, partnering with local authorities on their Criminology and Sociology BSc (Honours) course (Typical offers BBB at A level, DDM BTEC or a combination to achieve 1120 ucas pts)for example. Graduate opportunities include local government, youth work, police work. I will find this course particularly useful to mention to those students who may not know very much about what Criminology covers-it provides a good bases for creating a ‘practical’ element to help describe not only the skills required in this very popular area but also the demands from a practical point of view.
5. 5. Entry Requirements – Changes in Focus:
As expected, there was a range of opinion about the changing focus of entry requirements from the universities themselves. However some common themes did emerge. Namely, that the predicted grades for A level would become even more heavily weighted as AS level indications disappear. Moreover, the accuracy of predicted grades was under scrutiny by several universities (such as Sheffield and Loughborough) who were now looking at GCSE grades to help decide whether they felt the predicted grades were realistic.
Admissions staff require some indication as to how the student will perform at A2 and if the predictions seem unrealistic, they will look back at GCSE results. If in doubt, there is also the method to analyse GCSE grades which can be used for this purpose to aid admissions staff in calculating likely, possible grades at A2.
The EPQ remains a favourite with many Russell Group universities, particularly in courses requiring significant analysis and self-directed research. In some cases an offer would be reduced if the student was awarded an A for their EPQ. I feel it is important to explain these areas when in discussion with students to ensure they have all the facts to help aid them in their decisions.
Another common point made on personal statements was the importance of the academic reference being in alignment with it. A lack of consistency in message and particularly if it seemed unclear whether the referee knew which course the applicant was applying for was a seriously negative factor for many admissions tutors.
Ideas and content to share with colleagues:
- 1. Do attend Open Days and where possible try and stay over within halls to really experience a campus. Manchester University suggested arranging accommodation through the university conference/event office as a simple way to organise this yourself if overnight accommodation is not offered for an open day event.
- 2. Do ensure that you are finding ways to expand your interest in your chosen subject area outside of your A level course. Relevant summer schools were often cited though few universities were running these, so for the few that are available each year, it is key that students are applying for places as soon as possible.
Exeter continues to offer summer schools for students from yr 10 through to yr 12 (Physics continues to be popular)and courses in Biosciences, Mining Engineering, Geology and Renewable Energy, as well as an advice and guidance strand for those not decided on their preferred subject.This is followed by the summer residential at Penrhyn campus which included subject activity strands on Drama, History, Archaeology, Psychology and Medicine
- ‘Pathways to Property’ at Reading, whilst offered generally to those students at state school does offer more flexibility now in some cases however, whereby if a student has some of the criteria and attends an independent school, they may still be considered.
- Regarding students interested in medicine and health sciences, there was a unanimous warning that places remain extremely popular and that students should be encouraged to look wider than medical school. Courses in neuroscience, nursing, pharmacy, biosciences and paramedic care were given as examples of where else students can look for a fifth UCAS choice. One unusual suggestion for students who are both practical and possibly design orientated as well as interested in medicine was a degree course at Salford University on Prosthetics!
- 3. Regarding students interested in film; Brighton Film College offer a 2 year HND course which can have an additional year added to make it a degree course in film-making. This ends up being approximately £6000 cheaper than a three year degree course and they were at pains to tell me that most of their students have got graduate level jobs to go to even after the 2 year diploma.
- 4. Competition is still fierce with institutions offering Scholarship opportunities eg-Kent university who offer ‘The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence’ which rewards achievements and encourages students to maintain high academic standards. This scholarship has recently been extended to include those who achieve AAB at A level (or equivalent) where either one of the subjects is either Maths or a Modern Foreign language-see www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/search for further details
Summary of external CPD:
All in all, a very useful CPD opportunity. Not only does the UCAS convention give an overview from a diverse cross section of universities in one place, at the same time, it is a good way to enhance and update knowledge and share knowledge as a result of discussion with admissions staff with particular highlights including
Funding is creating a wider range of opportunities (particularly with non Russell group universities where competition is more evident) eg:practical activity within Criminology & Sociology courses ensuring a realistic environment in which to study, and perhaps very appealing to those who may prefer a more vocational course/route.
Unconditional offers are on the rise and students should be aware to question carefully what their options might be here. Advisers should act with a ‘gentle’ and reassuring approach as the decision will be a very personal one for the student. Students should be advised to check the dates they need to respond by, to allow them enough time to research each of their choices again to aid them in their decision and re-attend/attend open days where possible to gain a real insight into the institution/course.
The UCAS website continues to expand in its offering on sponsored degree courses and alternative course options including digital, computing and creative courses which are becoming more popular and varied in their offering.
Whilst medicine remains competitive, admissions staff recommend that students keep their options broad and that their 5th choice might include Pharmacy, Pharmacology or a Paramedic course for example.
Summer schools are worth recommending to students, particularly those who may not have started a work experience portfolio and could do with valuable experience whilst on an academic residential course (Exeter Physics residential for yr 12 students for example ) As well as learning about where a specific degree can take you, future students live amongst current students and will have the opportunity to live on campus experiencing university life.
It is also worth noting that awareness should be raised within guidance of the opportunities available-is Higher education becoming diluted? See white paper link below as described in May 2016:
www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2016/may/16/higher-education-white-paper-the-big-changes
This should include links to sources of information and presentations should be sent as attachments for circulation to colleagues
Please send this form to Jonathan Hardwick (Professional Development Manager) and Natalie Kaplanski (Human Resources Manager) as soon as possible after the CPD.