Category: Applying to University

Contextual offers

Amy Williams Leave a comment

Fair access to Higher Education is hugely important to us at the University of Exeter. We aim to make our application and recruitment processes as transparent as possible.

Part of this commitment, outlined in our Access and Participation plan, involves a contextual offer. On each of our course pages, you will see the contextual offer alongside the main entry requirements.

For example, our course page for History BA Streatham campus (2021 entry) outlines required grades, and then the contextual offer.

What are the grades for a contextual offer?
Our contextual offer is broken down into 3 categories:

  1. BMBS (Medicine): contextual offer would be
    • A-Level: ABB
    • IB: 32
    • BTEC: DDM
  2. Grade range ABB or above: contextual offer would be
    • A-Level: BBB
    • IB: 30
    • BTEC: DDM
  3. Grade range BBB: contextual offer would be
    • A-Level: BBC
    • IB: 28
    • BTEC: DMM

Are my students eligible?

  • All applicants from state schools who live in an area with low participation rates in higher education (POLAR 4 LPN Q1/2). Pupils can check eligibility using the postcode checker available on the Office for Students webpages
  • All applicants from state schools with more than 60% or at least 450 pupils who live in areas of deprivation (IMD Q1/Q2). View a list of Eligible schools.
  • Applicants we define as either a Care Leaver, a young person who has been looked after by the local authority for more than 13 weeks since they were 14, including some time at age 16 or 17, or Care Experienced any student who has been or is currently in care or from a looked after background at any stage of their life.
  • Applicants engaged on specific progression programmes run or managed by the University of Exeter
  • Applicants seeking asylum, have limited leave to remain, are under ‘humanitarian protection’ or have refugee status

Any questions?

You and your students are welcome to get in touch with the University of Exeter admissions team at ug-ad@exeter.ac.uk or via phone:  0300 555 60 60 (UK callers) +44 (0) 1392 723044 (EU/International callers)

Help and support on campus for prospective students

Orla Louise Kirkland Leave a comment

Each student has individual needs and the prospect of attending University can feel overwhelming even before considering any extra support they may need to succeed. Each University will have its own rules and provisions which can seem daunting at the point of application and confusing for parents/guardians alike. We just want to highlight some of the key services available to prospective students that you may wish to direct them to.

We highly recommend that any prospective students fill out the following form https://www.exeter.ac.uk/wellbeing/prospectivestudents/form/  this will enable the team to put a plan in place to support the individual before arrival. This could range from extra time in exams, counselling or accessible accommodation. If they would like any help or guidance on filling out our prospective student online form, please call us on 01392 72 4381 or email wellbeing@exeter.ac.uk

Wellbeing

The Wellbeing team promotes better mental health across the student community and supports students who may be experiencing anxiety, stress and have other mental health problems which affect their studies. They have 1:1 appointments alongside drop-in sessions and short term courses on a range of topics such as anxiety disorders (panic, social anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder), eating difficulties, depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, psychoses.

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Assessing applications

Amy Williams Leave a comment

We know students can feel overwhelmed with the prospect of starting an application to university. In this blog we will highlight the key areas that the University of Exeter focuses on when assessing applications.

We take a number of factors into account when assessing an application. This information is correct at point of publishing (23/09/2020). Current policies can be found on our website at: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/applying/assess/

How do we assess an application?

In considering an application, we consider:

  • Achieved academic performance in level 2 and 3 qualifications (GCSEs, A Levels, and their equivalents)
  • Predicted performance in future examinations
  • Personal statement
  • Reference
  • Any additional statement supplied by a school or college regarding any special personal or extenuating circumstances which may impact, or have impacted on an applicant’s studies.

We may also take into account the educational context in which your academic achievements have been gained.  For further information please see the section on School Performance in our Admissions Policy.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for applicants who:

  • Are suited to the course
  • Have the qualifications and qualities to succeed on the programme
  • Are ambitious, conscientious & hardworking
  • Are able to work under pressure
  • Can adjust to the new university environment
  • Show dedication to the course & have researched it
  • Have a genuine interest in the subject
  • AND a desire to learn more…

Do we interview?

The majority of our courses do not require applicants to attend an interview. A key exception to this at the University of Exeter is Medicine, where we invite applicants to Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs). Your students can find out about the Medicine interview process in the video below:

 

 

Results days in August 2020

Amy Williams Leave a comment

For University applicants and admissions, it has been a fortnight like no other. We hope you and your students are all keeping well and have seen our posts on policies as they arise on our Facebook and Twitter accounts. We wanted to shine a light on a recent discussion led by our Assistant Director of Student Access, Recruitment and Admissions – Dr Katherine Lloyd Clark.

Katherine and Karl filmed an In Conversation special in response to the OfQual announcement concerning Centre Assessed Grades, and spoke through the implications for current applicants to the University of Exeter. Watch the video below.

 

 

So, what’s the deal with Clearing Plus?

Amy Williams Leave a comment

Clearing Plus was announced back in May. As summer swiftly approaches, getting clarity on the processes your students can get involved in is key.

In short, Clearing Plus means that unplaced applicants (who would have likely entered clearing on results day) can explore courses that UCAS has matched them to, using information they initially inputted on Track, at a range of Universities. Applicants who explore the options Clearing Plus offers will be provided with a button that says ‘I’m interested’, meaning a University can then get in contact with them and provide more information.

The distinct thing about Clearing Plus is the ability for an applicant to move easily between courses and Universities – exploring the wealth of options that are available and easily expressing interest in a course.

When:
From 6 July applicants will be able to enter Clearing Plus through Track, using their normal UCAS account login.

Further guidance on Clearing Plus: https://www.ucas.com/advisers/managing-applications/supporting-you-through-confirmation-and-clearing/whats-new-2020

If you have any questions about the way the University of Exeter will be using Clearing Plus, or what this might mean for your students, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Amy Williams, Outreach Officer

Covid-19 and Competitive Universities

Orla Louise Kirkland Leave a comment

 Reading time 2 mins  

“I hope that the education, research, values and connections at Exeter will ensure that whatever your talent or passion you help change lives for the better”

Professor Sir Steve Smith Vice-Chancellor – June 2020

The need for innovative and thoughtful students to tackle the complex global challenges that lie ahead of us is now greater than ever. The opportunity to work with world-leading academics and potentially be part of this process is competitive and we hope to demystify this process. Read More