Changing Higher Education Landscape 2017: Reformed Qualifications, GCSE Entry, and the Impact of Brexit

1. Changing HE landscape Ben Jordan Senior Policy Executive

2. All applicants

3. All accepted applicants

4. Offers

5. By Tariff groupings

6. Qualifications

7. Sex gap 37,000 fewer 18 year old men entered higher education in 2016 than would be the case if men had the same entry rate as women.

8. January 15

10. What does 2017 look like?

11. 2017 entry • Reformed A levels across the UK. • Small number of reformed GCSEs (9 – 1) entering HE. • Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate. • Reformed Welsh GCSEs – Maths and Numeracy • Small number of reformed VQs. • Continued rollout of the Curriculum for Excellence.

12. Feedback so far • Common queries are: • do applicants need to input the reformed AS? • do schools need to cash in the reformed AS? • will HEPs ask for the science practical? • what numerical GCSE grade will HEPs ask for? • Some unaware of new Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate. • Increased use of qualification provision web page – continue to promote SPA NETT guidance. • Schools recognise response of sector.

14. UCAS qualification provision survey • Broader than previous AS and A level surveys – now includes GCSE and vocational qualifications. • 2018 version will be encapsulate UK-wide provision. • Embedded in our wider Qualification Information Service.

15. Have you changed your AS provision since the 2015/16 academic year? n = 222

16. Have you changed your AS provision since the 2015/16 academic year? n = 222

17. From the 2016/17 academic year, we are: n = 226

18. From the 2016/17 academic year, we are:

19. Revisit decision in 2017?

20. HEP GCSE requirements

21. School GCSE requirements Number of respondents

22. Does HE understand VQs?

23. Does HE understand VQs? ‘I feel it is important that students on the new Cambridge Technicals don't feel like these qualifications are unwanted by universities. They should be specifically mentioned in entry requirements so students are fully aware of what they need to achieve.’ Academy ‘Depends on the university – I perceive that the more traditional seem to understand them less well than the younger universities.’ Academy

24. Practitioners’ views on new VQs They are much more academic… even subjects such as Tech RM and PE require significant science and maths skills. They will become much harder as exams are now being introduced into BTEC courses, so the students who are more suited to vocational courses might struggle with the exams. More exam-based and as such, it does prepare them more for some, but not all university courses.

25. School response What specifications are schools and colleges offering from 2016/17?

26. Sufficient information?

27. General Election ?

28. Brexit ?

29. Higher Education and Research Bill • Bill recently received Royal Assent • Applies to England, but will have implications to UK wide market • Introduces a new market regulator – Office for Students • Enhances competition • Provision of data • Teaching Excellence Framework

30. TEF • Already here – ‘Meet expectations’ allows an English HEP to increase fees to £9,250 • Differential awards for 2018 entry • Applies to the institution and only covers UG provision – plans to expand • …but voluntary • UCAS engagement plan to determine position

32. Thank you