University Perspective

Challenging minds in challenging times.

A brief overview of some key issues with Higher Education applications and admissions Christopher Fuller February 2013

Challenging minds in challenging times • Application and admission figures • The globalization of HE and Russell Group universities • League tables • Fees • State verses independent intake

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UCAS Applications and Acceptances 1996 - 2010

Hundreds of thousands 7 6

HEFCE adding places year on year Acceptances until capped in 2008 – 2009.

334,594

5

4

479,057

44%

3

2 1 0 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Year of Entry Source: UCAS

3

Daily Telegraph, January 8, 2010

Daily Mail, February 1, 2011

4

Independent, 1 August 2011

Applications and Acceptances 23% increase in applications/applicants

85% of

70% of

students placed

students placed

7% increase in acceptances

408,500 634,086

492,030 700,161

487,329

657,351

481,854

639,860

456,627 588,689

413,430

534,495

390,890 506,304

Source: UCAS <http://www.ucas.ac.uk/about_us/stat_services/stats_online/data_tables/ datasummary> [accessed 19 November, 2012].

* Year

* Based on UCAS figures from 20 September, 2012

Russell Group applications per places 2011-12 Applications

Places / Offers

Ratio

London School of Economics

18,693

1,290

14.5

University of Bristol

39,420

3,849

10.2

The University of Edinburgh

45,868

3,868

11.9

King's College London

37,046

4,059

9.1

The University of Warwick

34,868

4,178

8.3

University College London

34,559

4,031

8.6

The University of Manchester

58,252

8,942

6.5

4,431

7.2

15%

11%

The University of Liverpool

08-09 09-10

AAB32,0222%

University of Leeds

52,823

7,462

7.1

The University of Birmingham

43,383

5,480

7.9

Cardiff University

33,054

4,892

6.8

The University of Sheffield

39,920

5,048

7.9

University of Southampton

38,410

5,404

7.1

The University of Nottingham

48,904

6,898

7.1

Newcastle University

28,639

4,678

6.1

Imperial College London

14,935

2,477

6.1

University of Glasgow

29,851

4,432

6.7

Queen's University Belfast

21,195

3,733

5,7

University of Oxford

17,895

3,214

5.6

University of Cambridge

16,225

3,378

4.8

AVERAGE

34,298

4,587

7.5

Sources: Russell Group, Sunday Times University Guide 2012

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Times Higher, 21 August 2012

Telegraph, 19 November, 2012

Applications and Acceptances 13% decrease in applications/applicants

17% decrease in number of students placed

408,500 634,086

492,030 700,161

487,329

657,351

481,854

639,860

456,627 588,689

413,430

534,495

390,890 506,304

Source: UCAS <http://www.ucas.ac.uk/about_us/stat_services/stats_online/data_tables/ datasummary> [accessed 19 November, 2012].

* Year

* Based on UCAS figures from 20 September, 2012

Russell Group applications per places 2012-13 Sources: Russell Group, Sunday Times University Guide 2013

Applications

Places / Offers

Ratio

London School of Economics

17,654

1,271 (-19)

13.9

University of Bristol

39,023

3,688 (-161)

10.6

King's College London

35,122

3,535 (-524)

9.9

University College London

34,476

3,617 (-414)

9.5

The University of Edinburgh

44,495

4,874 (+1006)

9.1

The University of Warwick

31,293

3,798 (-380)

8.2

The University of Liverpool

35,554

4,369 (-62)

8.1

The University of Birmingham

42,497

5,464 (-16)

7.8

University of Leeds

52,488

6,884 (-578)

7.7

University of Southampton

35,767

4,987 (-417)

7.2

The University of Nottingham

46,734

6,638 (-260)

7.1

The University of Manchester

59,911

8,048 (-894)

7.1

Queen Mary, London

25,830

3,694 (N/A)

7.1

Newcastle University

29,814

4,357 (-321)

6.8

University of Glasgow

27,502

4,149 (-283)

6.6

The University of Sheffield

33,415

5,120 (+72)

6.5

Durham University

24,420

3,747 (N/A)

6.5

University of York

23,400

3,669 (N/A)

6.4

Imperial College London

14,801

2,377 (-100)

6.2

University of Exeter

26,152

4,220 (N/A)

6.2

Cardiff University

30,844

5,047 (+155)

6.1

Queen's University Belfast

20,609

3,689 (+44)

5.6

University of Oxford

18,194

3,237 (+23)

5.6

University of Cambridge

15,507

3,261 (-117)

4.8

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Increase in available places for AAB+

Guardian, April 27, 2012

AAB+ 2011-12 - Cap removed for AAB students (est. 85,000)

Core and Margin

2011-12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20,000 places for institutions at ÂŁ7,500

Source: <http://www.hefce.ac.uk/news/newsarchive/2012/name,72760,en.html>

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BBC News, 16 August, 2012

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Fall in A*/A grades in 2012

Number of candidates Year Source: Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Examination Results: A-Levels <http://www.jcq.org.uk/examination-results/a-levels> [accessed 19 November, 2012].

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Fall in A*/A grades in 2012 estimated a 5,000 increase in number of students getting A*/A 2011 – 27% A*/As 2010 – 27% A*/A

2009 – 26.7% A 2008 – 25.9% A 2007 – 25.3% A 2006 – 24.1% A 2005 – 22.8% A

(234,176)

2012 – 26.6% A*/As

(229,243)

(228,683)

(221,006)

(214,384)

4,933 reduction in number of students getting A*/A

(203,831)

(194,173)

(178,724)

Source: Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), ‘Examination Results: A-Levels <http://www.jcq.org.uk/examination-results/a-levels> [accessed 19 November, 2012].

13

Increase in available places for ABB+

Guardian, April 27, 2012

AAB+ 2011-12 - Cap removed for AAB students (75,000)

Core and Margin

2011-12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20,000 places for institutions at ÂŁ7,500

2012-13 - Cap removed for ABB students (est.35,000) Source: <http://www.hefce.ac.uk/news/newsarchive/2012/name,72760,en.html>

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Challenging minds in challenging times â&#x20AC;˘ Application and admission figures â&#x20AC;˘ The globalization of HE and Russell Group universities

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The globalization of Higher Education Sweden - 2

Finland - 1

Denmark - 2 Ireland - 1

Canada - 3

UK - 18

France - 2

Switzerland - 4

USA - 31

China - 3

Netherlands - 4

Germany - 4

South Korea - 3

Japan - 6

Belgium - 1

Taiwan - 1

Hong Kong - 4 Singapore - 2

Australia - 7 New Zealand - 1 Source: QS World Rankings 2012-13 <http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-universityrankings/2012>

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Global graduates

Oxford

Southampton

Cambridge

UCL

Edinburgh

Nottingham St. Andrews Birmingham

Bristol

Manchester

York

Glasgow

UK universities in the World Top 100 Imperial

Leeds

QS World University Ranking 2012-13

LSE

Durham Kings

Warwick

Sheffield 17

Global graduates

Oxford

Southampton

Cambridge

UCL

Edinburgh

Nottingham St. Andrews Birmingham

Bristol

Manchester

York

Glasgow

RG universities in Imperial

World Top 100

Leeds

QS World University Ranking 2012-13

LSE

Durham Kings

Warwick

Sheffield 18

Research intensive universities •University of Birmingham

•London School of Economics (LSE)

•University of Bristol

•University of Manchester

•University of Cambridge

•Newcastle University

•Cardiff University

•University of Nottingham

•Durham University

•Queen Mary, University of London

•University of Edinburgh

•Queen’s University Belfast

•University of Exeter

•University of Oxford

•University of Glasgow

•University of Sheffield

•Imperial College London

•University of Southampton

•King’s College London

•University College London (UCL)

•University of Leeds

•University of Warwick

•University of Liverpool

•University of York

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Research

Education

Enterprise 20

Problems

Solutions

Jobs 21

Challenging minds in challenging times • Application and admission figures • The globalization of HE and Russell Group universities • League tables

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Key Information Sets

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25

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Building the perfect CV History Language â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Arabic Level 1-6

Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s War on Terror The Rise of Islam

The First Crusade

Politics

International Relations

From Empire to Globalisation

American Power and World Order

Issues in Third World Politics

Iran and the West

International Security

Year 3

Specialist Subject and dissertation of 10,000 words27

Employability â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey

91%

of our graduates were employed or undertaking further study six months after graduation 28

Source: Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2010-11 <http://www.southampton.ac.uk/careers/DLHE/>

Employability â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey

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Sources for checking on university performance The Good University Guide, The Times (paysite) http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/gug/?CMP=KNGvccp1-sunday+times+university+guide

Guardian University Guide http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/universityguide

The Complete University Guide (with Independent) http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

QS Top Universities http://www.topuniversities.com/

Times Higher Education World University Rankings http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2012-13/world-ranking

Unistats http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/ 30

Challenging minds in challenging times • Application and admission figures • The globalization of HE and Russell Group universities • League tables • Fees

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Average graduate earnings, 2000 - 2010

Source: Office of National Statistics, <http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171776_233872.pdf>

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Comprehensive support package Those institutions asking for full fees are required to provide the most generous financial support packages

Fee waivers Southampton Entitlement Bursary support

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University of Southampton fee waiver Graduate contribution (ÂŁk)

10 9

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

21%*

15%*

64%* * percentage of students that fall into each bracket

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 70 Household income (ÂŁk)

Source: http://www.soton.ac.uk/study/feesandfundin g/undergradfees_2012.html

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Key Information Sets

Tuition Fees

£9,000

£8,200 35

Researching fees and finances • Government website <http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/Unive rsityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm?> • Martin Lewis, heading independent “fees taskforce” <http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/studentloans-tuition-fees-changes> • Individual institutions own sites e.g. ‘University of Southampton Student Finance Calculator’ <http://www.soton.ac.uk/calculator/index_2012.html> 36

Challenging minds in challenging times • Application and admission figures • The globalization of HE and Russell Group universities • League tables • Fees • State verses independent intake

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State and independent sectors

Jeevan Vasagar, Guardian, 7 January 2011

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State and independent sectors 82%

18%

39

60%

62%

63%

66%

71%

73%

40%

38%

37%

34%

29%

27%

84%

60% 40%

Source: HESA, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Young full-time undergraduate entrants by state school markerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, <http://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2060&Itemid=141> [accessed 07 February, 2013].

16%

Southampton

59% 41%

73%

55% 45%

Russell Group full-time UG intake 2010-11

The reasons for independent school success 1) Less state school students apply to Russell Group universities ‘Low aspirations, lack of guidance and, most important, under-achievement […] remain significant barriers.’

Dr Wendy Piatt, Director General of the Russell Group, quoted in Rowenna Davis, ‘Working-class revolution not reaching ‘posh’ universities’, Guardian, 28 September, 2010 <http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/sep/28/working-class-studentsposh-universities> [accessed 30 September, 2010].

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The reasons for independent school success 2) Subject choice at GCSE and sixth-form

‘Non-selective state school students are far more likely to take non-traditional A-levels […].’

‘The hard truth about “soft” subjects’, Fazackerley and Chant, Policy Exchange, December 2008

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‘Hard’ A-levels verses ‘soft’ A-levels

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Google “Russell Group Informed Choices”

Source: <http://www.russellgroup.ac. uk/media/informedchoices/InformedChoiceslatest.pdf>

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Source: <http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/media/informed-choices/InformedChoices-latest.pdf>

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Facilitating subjects at A-level Mathematics Further Maths Biology

Physics

Geography History English Literature Languages (Modern and Classic)

Chemistry Two facilitating subjects keeps your options open for a wide variety of degrees.

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A-level exam performance A / A* ratio

35.3 %

Source: UCAS results summary 2009 - 2010

27.7 %

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University degree performance 1/2:1 ratio

64 %

68 %

Source: ‘The Social Composition and Future Earnings of Postgraduates’, London School of Economics’ Centre for Economic Performance, March 2010 <http://www.suttontrust.com/research/the-social-composition-and-futureearnings-of-postgraduates/>

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Undergraduate degree performance

Source: A. Hoare & R. Johnston, Widening Participation Through Admissions Policy - a British Case Study of School and University Performance, University of Bristol, (2010); HESA DLHE survey data analysis, UpReach report, November 2012, http://upreach.org.uk/upReach%20– %20Access%20to%20the%20Professions%20for%20Undergraduates%20from%20Less-Privileged%20Backgrounds%20–%20The%20Issue.pdf [accessed 16 January, 2013].

Degree performance 1 / 2:1 ratio â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;In the state sector there's more independent learning. Students are more used to working things out on their own rather than having a teacher giving them individual attention. When they get to university, where the classes are much larger than at school, they're better equipped to cope than those from private schools.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Richard Murphy, Research Economist, LSE, Friday 23 July, 2010 <http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jul/23/state-school-pupils-better-university> [accessed 16 September 2010].

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Summary • More places available than ever before for those that achieve the grades • UK students have access to world-class institutions

• Careful use of league tables, in particular the combination of student satisfaction and employability, is vital • A degree from a good university will recoup its costs • One of the biggest obstacles to progression into highly selective universities is a lack of confidence 51

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