Morning, Monday, 9th March 2026
Online
This conference will examine priorities for higher education admissions reform, in the context of the rollout of the new UCAS personal statement format, and a wider regulatory and sector focus on fair access and institutional sustainability.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to examine the scope and scale of 2026 entry reform, alongside the impact of wider pressures on the sector amidst recent funding reductions, as well as Office for Students projections of widespread deficits, and wider changes to student migration policy.
Implications & practicalities
The move to structured responses will be a focus, with discussion on the expansion of applicant data and changes to applicant support. Implications for provider strategies will be considered, including the redesign of guidance in schools, reallocation of outreach resources, and adjustments in offer-making and course planning.
Planned sessions will consider potential implications of the new admissions structure on school-level support, and fairness for students from different socio-economic backgrounds, as well as issues around variation in how providers interpret and implement new admissions practices. Areas for discussion include the role of contextual admissions and evolving frameworks, such as the Access to Success Action Plan in addressing persistent disparities in opportunity and outcomes.
Financial sustainability
The agenda will consider how financial constraints are affecting outreach, recruitment, and course delivery, including the influence of immigration rules and student visa policy and staffing pressures on institutional planning and sustainability. We expect discussion on options for addressing the impact of projected budget deficits on the continuation of courses and services, alongside examining the trade-offs institutions are making in maintaining access and support.
Data & AI utilisation
Further planned sessions focus on innovation, and priorities for the use of data, digital tools, and AI in admissions processes, including their potential to improve applicant experience and support decision-making. Oversight mechanisms, including the OfS Strategy 2025-2030 and the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, will also be discussed, assessing issues around institutional autonomy, governance, and the capacity to respond flexibly to strategic challenges.
Overview of areas for discussion
- structured personal statement: implications for fairness and transparency - variation in applicant preparation and school support - impact on decision-making across institutional settings
- resource pressures: impact of the 2025 Spending Review and Strategic Priorities Grant cuts - challenges for outreach, staffing, and subject provision - strategies for prioritising under constrained budgets
- admissions strategy and planning: responses to projected deficits - links between recruitment, offer-making, and financial sustainability - how visa reform and compliance costs affect course viability
- contextual admissions and consistency: influence of the Access to Success Action Plan - balance of national approaches with institutional flexibility - recognition of local and individual context
- international students and compliance: impact of visa restrictions and levies - uncertainty in application numbers and tuition income - tensions between regulatory compliance and financial resilience
- regulation and governance: direction set by the OfS Strategy 2025-2030 - scope for institutional autonomy in admissions - implications of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act for provider responsibilities
- equality and progression: drivers of demographic and regional disparities - trends in offer-making and outcomes - assessing evidence on approaches to improving access
- technology and data use: use of digital platforms, data tools, and AI in admissions - opportunities to strengthen applicant support
