The Higher Education Admissions Conference 2021

Throughout the Conference you will be able to make use of:

• Match making networking and live delegate meet ups
• Replay functions so you never miss a session
• Live chat, questioning and polling tools
• Real time resources and presentations
• A next generation conference engagement platform

Before proceedings get underway, this short explainer session will explore how you can get the most out of our new next generation Conference platform.

Our IG Higher Education Team will run through how to make virtual connections, creating networking meet ups, accessing content on demand and how to use our new Q&A, chat functions and virtual polling tools.

• Outlining the Department for Education’s consultation into the development of a post-qualification admissions system
• Embedding enhanced fairness and transparency into higher education entry
• Overcoming the challenges of inaccurate grade predictions and damaging entry practices such as the use of unconditional offers
• Assessing how the transition to a post-qualification system can support the levelling up for talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds

• Examining the key findings from the landmark UUK Fair Admissions Review and outlining what the sector should do to ensure fairness and transparency are embedded into the admissions system
• Assessing the central recommendations of the Review including the transition to a Post-Qualifications Admissions (PQA) Model
• Exploring the Review’s stakeholder engagement process in assessing how a PQA model would be designed and implemented; how would the role of HEI’s have to change?
• Evaluating how the new model would address concerns on early applicant decision making, conditional unconditional offers and unconditional offers
• Discussing the key actions points for universities in abiding by admission principles and addressing inequalities in access and participation

Your opportunity to make the most of the virtual Conference, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections and tour our real-time resources and content.

Don’t forget if you’ve missed a session, you can use our replay functions, so you can watch all the content on demand at a time that suits you.

In this session you will be able to choose between 3 interactive workshops where you will be able to assess the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the admissions systems and work with your peers to develop long-term solutions in response.

In these interactive group-based sessions, you will have the opportunity to break down how your institution is responding, gain best practice from across the sector and build an action point for progress.

In this panel discussion admissions leaders will explore the change needed to support greater fairness in accessing higher education and how the landmark reforms being proposed would be implemented in practice.

• How should the higher education sector adapt to and implement a PQA model?
• What would a PQA system mean for the admissions cycle and how recruitment activity is organised across the sector?
• How can further education institutions and universities work to develop an admissions system designed around the interests of applicants and which addresses inequalities in access?
• What will the future of decision making and offer making look like following the admissions reforms?

Your opportunity to make the most of the virtual Conference, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections and tour our real-time resources and content.

Don’t forget if you’ve missed a session, you can use our replay functions, so you can watch all the content on demand at a time that suits you.

This interactive workshop will allow you to explore with the Office for Students how a fairer and more transparent admissions system can be developed which improves outcomes for disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.

This will be your opportunity to assess what an ambitious admissions system can look like and how fairer access for unrepresented groups can be supported.

These live roundtable discussions will allow you to engage in an open dialogue around the challenges and solutions to designing admissions processes which support improved access for disadvantaged and underrepresented students.

You will be able to participate in one of the roundtable discussions below. Come armed with your thoughts and questions to share with sector experts and your peers.

Your opportunity to make the most of the virtual Conference, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections and tour our real-time resources and content.

Don’t forget if you’ve missed a session, you can use our replay functions, so you can watch all the content on demand at a time that suits you.

With huge growth in early applications, a year-round recruitment cycle and no signs of Covid-19 denting the expansion of the student market, there is ever growing emphasis on market standing and attracting students in a highly competitive sector.

This session will examine how institutions can maintain their competitive-edge and meet the needs of applicants amid a system facing reform.

This panel discussion will examine:

• The future of the recruitment cycle and timeline
• The evolving nature of marketing campaigns and outreach
• How institutions remain competitive within the admissions system

• Outlining the UCAS approach to transparency and information provision to applicants
• Delivering enhancements to the applicant experience with the new ‘My Application’ student interface and the development of Clearing Plus
• Designing a new pilot adviser tool to provider enhanced support for applicants on how level of attainment related to offers
• Examining the UCAS proposals for reform including the delivery of a new PQA model and the redevelopment of the academic entry cycle

You will still have the opportunity to make the most of the virtual Conference, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections and tour our real-time resources and content.

Don’t forget if you’ve missed a session, you can use our replay functions, so you can watch all the content on demand at a time that suits you.

International Recruitment Stream

Please note this is an additional Conference breakout focused on international student recruitment. You will be able to choose between the sessions in the main plenary and these additional breakout sessions on international recruitment.

• Assessing DfE’s roadmap to increasing the total number of international students entering the UK higher education system, with the aim of hosting 600,000 international students by 2030
• Examining the outcomes from the review of the International Education Strategy in Autumn 2020
• Exploring the next steps in making the UK more competitive and welcoming to international students through improvement to the visa system and supporting long term employment prospects
• Evaluating how higher education institutions may target new potential growth regions for education exports

This case study will focus on the strategic approach to planning for the changed reality of EU recruitment. Setting realistic targets for EU students and using these changes to start a conversation about size and shape of the student body and setting EU recruitment in the overall context of broader efforts to internationalise the student body. This strategy focuses on:

• Evidence-based recruitment targets
• Market prioritisation
• Discrete strategies for different recruitment channels
• End-to-end strategy for conversion

Your opportunity to make the most of the virtual Conference, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections and tour our real-time resources and content.

Don’t forget if you’ve missed a session, you can use our replay functions, so you can watch all the content on demand at a time that suits you.

With rising global competition, campus safety as a result of Covid-19 and Covid-related discrimination continuing to cause concerns this panel session will explore how UK institutions can maintain competitiveness, showcase their attractiveness to prospective international students and continue to support growth in admissions following the pandemic.

• Exploring the outcomes from UKCISA’s roadmap report ‘Delivering a world-class international student experience’ and outlining how you can make your organisation as attractive as possible to prospective international students
• Examining how institutional performance on international student experience determines global competitiveness
• Assessing UKCISA’s recommendations on improving flexibility in the visa and immigration system to support access to UK higher education
• Improving the evidence base on international student recruitment and providing tips around how the UK can enhance its position as the most welcoming place to study globally
• Brexit and Beyond: outlining how a future international student friendly immigration system would deliver an improved customer journey for international students

• Exploring the outcomes from UUK International’s #WeareTogether campaign in reassuring international applicants looking to study in the UK following Covid-19
• Harnessing existing international students to share their experiences and discuss how they have adapted to the Covid landscape with international audiences
• Assessing the main concerns and objections of prospective international students and exploring how institutions can meet expectations on safety, the student experience and teaching standards
• Looking beyond Covid: Exploring the growing competition from other countries on international student recruitment and how the UK can adapt to changing patterns on international student mobility

You will still have the opportunity to make the most of the virtual Conference, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections and tour our real-time resources and content.

Don’t forget if you’ve missed a session, you can use our replay functions, so you can watch all the content on demand at a time that suits you.