A new ‘fair admissions code of practice’ has been released to urge universities to stop making ‘conditional unconditional’ offers to students.
Released by Universities UK, the collective voice of 140 universities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, on Monday March 7, the code says universities should not make ‘conditional unconditional’ offers to avoid students making choices that are not ‘in their best interests’,
What is a ‘Condition Unconditional’ Offer?
‘Conditional unconditional’ offers give students a place at the university regardless of their grades under the condition they make the university their firm first choice.
Professor Quintin McKellar CBE – Vice-Chancellor, University of Hertfordshire and Vice-President for England and Northern Ireland, Universities UK – says the new practice code is a ‘public commitment to prioritise applicants’ interests above all else’.
Prof McKellar said: ‘The Fair admissions code of practice allows universities and colleges to make a public commitment to prioritise applicants’ interests above all else.
‘The code behaviours build on the fairness and transparency in the admissions system, support student choice and avoid putting any unnecessary pressure on applicants.
‘All applicants must be able to make informed decisions based on clear evidence of their strengths, capability and potential, and on comprehensive and consistent information about how courses will meet their expectations, as future students and in their lives beyond graduation.’
Professionals call out ‘conditional unconditional’ offers as ‘unacceptable’
Data published by UCAS in 2020 showed that in 2019 there were 35 universities and colleges where at least one percent of offers made were ‘conditional unconditional’.
Under the code students will also only receive unconditional offers in limited circumstances – such as when qualifications are already held, or admissions decisions are informed by auditions or interviews.
Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the code reinforces the message that ‘conditional unconditional offers’ are ‘unacceptable’.
He said: ‘We welcome the publication of the Fair admissions code of practice and in particular the absolute clarity with which it reinforces the message that the use of so-called ‘conditional unconditional offers’ is unacceptable.
‘Indeed, the vast majority of unconditional offers are unnecessary and do not serve students’ best interests, as this code recognises. It is essential that students choose university courses which best suit their aspirations and ambitions, rather than because of short-term inducements which do not necessarily serve their long-term interests.
‘The code of practice will help them to navigate the higher education admissions system and make properly informed decisions about the right course for them.’