What do enquirers and applicants need to know?

PSRB Forum on Public Information16 December 2011

Leslie Currie, Senior Project Officer

What is SPA?

Set up in 2006 following the Schwartz Report Fair Admissions to Higher Education: Recommendations for Good Practice 2004

‘ The Group recommends the creation of a central source of expertise and advice on admissions issues. Its purpose would be to act as a resource for institutions who wish to maintain and enhance excellence in admissions. Such a centre could lead the continuing development of fair admissions, evaluating and commissioning research, and spreading best practice.’

UK’s independent and objective voice on HE admissions

Small team, but with practical and relevant experience

Why should HE providers bother giving information to applicants?

Good practice requirements

The QAA Code

The Schwartz Report

Transparency – ‘the information they [applicants] require to make an informed choice of course and institution’

Admissions Systems and their requirements

UCAS/GTTR/UKPASS etc.

Self-interest

Recruitment Attract to your institution students who want to do that subject Expand your market by suggesting a new subject or topic to

potential students who had not thought of it previously

Improve retention If students are clear about what they have signed up for they

are less likely to leave, more likely to be satisfied.

What do we need to put in?

Basic admissions/entry requirements Including subjects, grades, CRB, fitness to practice Information about the PSRB’s specific requirements

Information about the course – and how it is connected to the profession (i.e. requirements for professional experience)

Information about the profession itself, including careers Information about accreditation – and what this actually means

What else do you feel should be communicated – and how?

How to communicate and to whom?

How do you get your message across to the right person in the HE provider? Who do you tell? Are you happy that the message is being

passed on? Is there good communication between academic and outreach staff?

Is this work finding its way through to the HEI’s recruitment and outreach staff and to HELOA, marketing – and on to UCAS sites?

Who do you want to talk to – potential students, advisers, families.....?

How do you make sure that the right message is being picked up and transmitted?

Message for potential applicants and advisers

What message do you want them to hear or read?

How should it be communicated to HE providers?

How should it be communicated by HE providers?

Thank youYour feedback is welcomed

More information from: enquiries@spa.ac.uk or 01242 544891www.spa.ac.uk