February 2022
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This conference considered priorities for the higher education admissions system.
It took place with confirmation of the Government’s intentions to move forward as soon as possible with admissions reform, as well as further developments, including:
- the consultation on a move to a post-qualification admissions (PQA) system, with the Government expected to formally respond in due course
- the publication of the UCAS report, Reimagining UK Admissions, which advocated a move to a post-qualification offer (PQO) system
- the admissions reviews led by the OfS and UUK
The agenda brought out latest thinking on:
- the range of options for admissions reform
- the challenges presented by PQA models and how best to overcome them
- supporting and empowering all students throughout reform
- making sure reform is UK-wide and takes into account priorities for devolved nations
Further areas for discussion included:
- international practice in post-qualification systems, and what can be learned for reform in the UK
- the impact of COVID-19 on university admissions, with delegates expected to consider addressing differential progression rates affecting students from disadvantaged backgrounds
- predicting A Level grades, with concerns in UCL research that it is a ‘near-impossible task’ likely to harm high achievers from disadvantaged backgrounds
- how admissions for mature and international students should be taken into account in any changes to the system
We were pleased to be able to include keynote contributions from: John Cope, Director, Strategy, Policy & Public Affairs, UCAS; Rebecca Gaukroger, Director, Student Recruitment and Admissions, The University of Edinburgh; Jazreel Goh, Director Malaysia, British Council; Dr Omar Khan, Director, Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education; and Jill O’Mahony, Director of Admissions and Enrolment Planning, University College Dublin.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside policy officials who attended from the Department for Education; the Department for the Economy, NI; the FCDO; The House of Commons Library; and the Welsh Government.
