Access Thresholds How to identify minimum entry requirements

Significant under-representation of disadvantaged students in HE Source: SFC (2015/16 academic year)

Large socioeconomic disparities in school achievement and progression S 6 average cumulative Insight tariff

Inflation of HE entry requirements Average UCAS points of entrants to Scottish universities in

The access threshold challenge “By 2019 all universities should set access thresholds for all

Identifying the minimum needed for success… What does it mean to “successfully complete a

Source: HESA data for Scottish domiciled entrants to Scottish HEIs, 2008/09 to 2012/13

Source: HESA data for Scottish domiciled recipients of classified degrees from Scottish HEIs, 2010/11

Discussion points How might your institution interpret what it means to “successfully complete a

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Access Thresholds How to identify minimum entry requirements for contextually disadvantaged applicants Dr Vikki Boliver, Durham University Scotland’s Fair Access Conference 20 th June 2017

Significant under-representation of disadvantaged students in HE Source: SFC (2015/16 academic year)

Large socioeconomic disparities in school achievement and progression S 6 average cumulative Insight tariff points by SIMD decile and gender Source: Croll, Browitt, Anderson and Hedge-Holmes (2016: 57) Based on data for West of Scotland local authorities

Inflation of HE entry requirements Average UCAS points of entrants to Scottish universities in 2006 & 2015 Source: Complete University Guide 2008 and 2017

The access threshold challenge “By 2019 all universities should set access thresholds for all degree programmes against which learners from the most deprived backgrounds should be assessed. These access thresholds should be separate to standard entrance requirements and set as ambitiously as possible, at a level which accurately reflects the minimum academic standard and subject knowledge necessary to successfully complete a degree programme. ” (Co. WA 2016: 15).

Identifying the minimum needed for success… What does it mean to “successfully complete a degree programme”? What is an acceptable probability of success? How can HEIs help ensure that Access Threshold students realise their potential?

Source: HESA data for Scottish domiciled entrants to Scottish HEIs, 2008/09 to 2012/13

Source: HESA data for Scottish domiciled recipients of classified degrees from Scottish HEIs, 2010/11 -2013/14

Discussion points How might your institution interpret what it means to “successfully complete a degree programme”? What would your institution deem an acceptable probability of success? How can your institution help ensure that Access Threshold students realise their potential?