March 2026
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This conference examined priorities for higher education admissions reform, as the new UCAS personal statement format is rolled out, and with heightened regulatory and sector focus on fair access and institutional sustainability.
It brought stakeholders and policymakers together to examine the scope and scale of 2026 entry reform, the impact of wider pressures on the sector amidst recent funding concerns alongside the Office for Students projecting widespread deficits, and wider changes to student migration policy.
Implications, practicalities & contextual admissions
The move to structured responses to applications was considered, with discussion on the expansion of applicant data and changes to applicant support. Delegates assessed implications for provider admissions strategies, including practicalities for the redesign of guidance and support in schools and colleges, reallocation of outreach resources, and adjustments in offer-making and course planning.
The conference examined The Fair Admissions Code of Practice in terms of guiding principles and ensuring compliance across the admissions system for both home and international students. Delegates looked at possible impacts on equity in access for students from different socio-economic backgrounds, including issues around variation in how providers interpret and implement new admissions practices.
Next steps for implementing contextual admissions across diverse institutional settings were also discussed, as well as priorities for evolving frameworks - such as Universities UK’s Access to Success Action Plan - in addressing persistent disparities in opportunity and outcomes.
Institutional planning & financial sustainability
The agenda assessed how challenges might be addressed in the context of financial constraints on outreach, recruitment, offer-making, and course delivery, as well as the influence of visa restrictions, immigration rules and student visa policy and staffing pressures on institutional planning and sustainability.
Delegates looked at approaches to reconciling potential trade-offs between maintaining access and student support, balancing financial resilience with fair admissions, and allocating resources against competing demands. They also considered options for addressing the impact of projected budget deficits on the continuation of courses, including implications of visa reform and compliance costs.
International students & compliance with policy
Priorities for international student recruitment were discussed, including visa rules and regulatory compliance across higher education provision moving forward, as well as the impact of recent immigration reform, restrictions and levies on applications, course planning, and institutional financial planning.
We expected discussion on approaches for adapting admissions practices to changing visa requirements while protecting fair access and maintaining quality student support. Delegates assessed strategies for both ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining institutional viability, as well as priorities for addressing concerns surrounding accessibility, affordability, and clarity of guidance for international students.
Data, AI utilisation, governance & regulation
Further sessions focused on innovation, and priorities for the use of data, digital tools, and AI in admissions processes. Attendees considered opportunities and risks associated with increased digital transformation, including strategies to reduce bias, improve transparency and applicant experience. Potential administrative burdens providers might face in ensuring that contextual data is interpreted uniformly was also considered, particularly for smaller institutions with fewer resources.
Regulatory and oversight mechanisms were also discussed, looking at both the direction set by the OfS Strategy 2025-2030 and implications for provider responsibilities of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. Areas for discussion included assessing the scope for institutional autonomy in admissions, governance issues, and the capacity to respond flexibly to strategic challenges towards regulatory expectations.
Widening participation & access
Discussion considered strategies to support student progression into higher education, including contextual offers, outreach programmes and widening participation schemes.
Areas for discussion included the re-introduction of maintenance grants and the role of financial support in improving student choice, retention, and progression, particularly for disadvantaged, mature, and commuter students. Options for measuring and evaluating the impact of grants were also considered.
Sessions discussed how universities and colleges can allocate resources effectively to reduce inequalities, as well as school and student perspectives on affordability, fairness, access, and practical support required to navigate admissions changes.
All delegates were able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
