Common use of Fair Access Clause in Contracts

Fair Access. (a) The University’s Fair Admission Policy has 6 underpinning elements: (i) applicants will be treated as individuals, and we will not treat any one applicant automatically more or less favourably than another by virtue of his/her background, or school/college. Our selection criteria will seek solely to judge ability to complete the programme of study successfully. (ii) The University will seek, wherever appropriate, to make judgements about admissions based on a candidate’s prior academic performance to agreed standards on the express understanding that it believes this is a reliable indication of ability to complete the programme of study successfully (academic merit). Where a candidate has not previously engaged in study which would lead to the agreed level of prior academic achievement, or where prior academic achievement is not itself a sufficient condition of demonstrating ability to succeed on the specified programme, then the University will make a further set of assessments to gauge the candidate’s potential to complete the programme of study successfully. Candidates selected on academic potential will be given an equal opportunity with candidates selected on merit to gain admission to the programme. (iii) Where the number of candidates who are judged by the University to have achieved the agreed standards of prior academic achievement and/or academic potential to succeed on the programme, is greater than the number of offers the University can make to them all, then University will use a range of clearly defined, relevant, reliable and valid criteria in order to reach a judgement about which students to admit or to turn down. (iv) The University will not make offers, or require higher or lower grades from applicants from particular groups, backgrounds or schools, although it may choose to vary its offers to individuals who demonstrate they have met particular agreed published criteria for admissions (i.e. special admissions arrangements through compacts) (v) All Schools will publish clear criteria attached to the policy for: - assessment of merit - assessment of potential (where appropriate) - selection from a cohort who have achieved base criteria - any special admissions arrangements (vi) The University will establish a mechanism to enable candidates who are not made an offer to receive clear feedback on the University’s decision, should they wish it, and has established an Admissions Committee Chaired by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student and Staff Affairs) with School and Service representation to review and monitor delivery of the Policy. (b) In 2003 we conducted the first annual detailed analysis of “access and admissions” data for a range of defined student cohorts. This work aims to help us identify: - any bias in our selection procedure which would reduce opportunities to under-represented groups - if our “offer” is less attractive to any under-represented groups This analysis suggests: • the ratio of applicants/offers/intake is balanced (see Note (d)) white : other ethnic groups able bodied : students with a disability young : mature social class I/II/IIIn : IIIm/IV/V More detailed analysis shows this balance is achieved consistently by all University Schools. This analysis leads us to believe our selection/recruitment procedures are fair and equitable to these groups. • We have investigated the possibility of some bias operating in the selection of male/female applicants. Further detailed analysis suggests the higher proportion of offers made to men and the lower proportion made to women is due to a combination of our subject mix, regional culture, and supply/demand ratios. This analysis (Note (d)) leads us to believe there is no negative discrimination operating in our system. • mature students are more likely to accept our offers than young applicants. Further analysis suggests this is due to the almost wholly regional nature of our mature applicants, whose work and family commitments confine them to a travel to work area. • although the number of applicants from BME backgrounds are lower than the sector average, and less than we would wish, they are still higher than our regional benchmark. The number of applicants reflects the low percentage of BME residents in the North East. 6. In Summary: 7. Key Performance Measures