What is the current state of debate around the use of contextualised admissions for undergraduate admissions? A review of the current stakeholder perspective
Mountford-Zimdars, AK; Moore, J; Higham, L
Date: 31 July 2019
Journal
Perspectives: Policy and Practice in Higher Education
Publisher
Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Higher Education Institutions in England are an integral part of the government’s social mobility
strategy. Contextualisation of undergraduate admissions decisions has emerged as a key tool towards
progressing social mobility objectives. The present paper builds on our previous 2013 research by
describing findings from 15 qualitative ...
Higher Education Institutions in England are an integral part of the government’s social mobility
strategy. Contextualisation of undergraduate admissions decisions has emerged as a key tool towards
progressing social mobility objectives. The present paper builds on our previous 2013 research by
describing findings from 15 qualitative interviews with stakeholders in contextualised admissions.
Stakeholders were drawn from government, non-governmental and third sector bodies including those
representing the voice of schools and young people. We find that data challenges continue to be a main
barrier to the application of contextual admissions. Respondents thought that more consistency and
transparency between universities would be helpful to assist applicants and those who support them to
better understand contextual data use in undergraduate admissions. Views are divided about whether
differential admissions offers represent the most important application of contextual data. Respondents
saw potential for using contextual data beyond admissions for supporting students at university and into
further study or employment.
School of Education
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Item views 0
Full item downloads 0