LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY

 

UK/EU AND INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES 2006 ENTRY

 

A REPORT TO SENATE AND THE RESOURCES AND PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

POSITION AT 17 FEBRUARY 2006

 

This commentary should be read in conjunction with the attached tables:

  1. Overall summary (including research, PGCE and LUSAD Foundation data)
  2. Competitor applications and intake data (undergraduate) 2000 – 2005/2006

 

 

1.                  UNDERGRADUATE

 

Applications

 

Applications to date have fallen by 13.2% compared to 2005.  All three Faculties have experienced decreases varying from 5.8% for Engineering (UK/EU) to 15.8% for Science (UK/EU). Nationally, there has been a decline of 3.4%, the first such change for several years. UCAS applications data sorted by institution reveals that 75 universities are running below their equivalent totals for 2005 and of these 41 have fallen by at least 5.0%. Universities with losses of 10.0% or more include the following:

 

Exeter

10.9%

Hull

11.5%

Lancaster

13.6%

Nottingham

14.2%

Reading

17.3%

Nottingham Trent

18.3%

 

Universities experiencing significant losses do not conform to a particular pattern in terms of the access bursaries which they are offering from 2006 onwards. This does not appear to be a key factor, therefore, in accounting for the declining applications

 

It will be recalled that Loughborough experienced substantial growth in its applications last year. The figure of 12.5% (UK/EU and international) placed the university significantly ahead of the sector average of 8.5%.

 

When the applications figures are distributed into UCAS subject areas and a comparison is made between 2004 and 2006, it becomes apparent that a majority of the subject areas at Loughborough have grown by margins ranging from 3.3% to 68.1%. An increase of 20.0% or more has been achieved by 8 subject areas. Those which have fallen over the two year period include Computer Science (reflecting a national collapse in applications) and Economics, English and Management Studies. In each of these three subject areas, the standard conditional offer level has been raised and it may well be that this quite deliberate change of strategy has choked off some demand.

 

Competitor Data (Table B)

 

A study has been made of the applications and intakes of a group of competitor universities over the period 2000 – 2006 (applications) and 2000 – 2005 (intakes). Loughborough’s applications profile reveals a relatively narrow range of movement, with the exception of the growth in 2005. The 12.5% increase for Loughborough in 2005 was greater than for any of the competitor universities. All the institutions featured in the table have experienced declines in 2006, ranging from 0.2% (Bath) to 18.3% (Nottingham Trent). All the institutions are admitting more students than was the case in 2000. Intake totals for Loughborough reveal a flatter profile, however, than in most other cases.

 

Applicants’ Responses

 

Attention must now turn to the proportion of applicants receiving offers who make Loughborough their first (firm) choice within the UCAS rules. To date, only 5.4% of these applicants have replied but there is an indication already that the raising of offer levels has reduced the number of applicants deciding to place the University as their second (insurance) choice. It can also be observed that, at this early point in the second stage of the process, some departments are showing growth in the proportion of applicants accepting offers firmly.

 

Actions

 

In readiness for the introduction of variable tuition fees, a set of information including details of the University’s bursary and scholarship package and a guide for parents, has been sent to all applicants with their offers. The University’s bursaries web pages have been overhauled to expand the guidance provided and to improve accessibility. The distribution of a newsletter and accommodation leaflet has begun to the considerable number of applicants yet to respond to their offers. Departments continue to work extremely hard to make their UCAS visit days a wholly positive experience for their applicants and parents.  A sample of applicants in each of the three reply categories – firmly accept, accept as insurance and decline – will be surveyed over the coming months to obtain feedback on the impact of the bursaries and a scholarships, the quality of the visit days and the reasons for their decisions. The first group to be targeted will be the “declines”.  

 

 

2.                  TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE

 

 INTERNATIONAL (FT)

 

Applications and Decisions

 

Applications are currently down on the equivalent time last year by 18.2% (from 4630 to 3789) with a decrease in applications from China of 30% (2138 to 1497).  Despite this fall in applications offers have increased by 25.3%, from 1968 to 2465. Within the Faculty of Engineering applications have decreased by 17.5% but offers have increased by 11.6%. Within the Faculty of Science applications have decreased by 15.8%, but offers have increased by 14%. Within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities applications have decreased by 19.3%, but offers have increased by 43.9%. 

 

Actions

 

All departments are fully aware of the decrease in applications, especially from China, and are working closely with the Postgraduate Taught Admissions (PGT) Office and the International Office to develop and implement good recruitment practice and initiatives which will maximise the conversion rates of those applicants in receipt of offers.  This good practice is exemplified by an efficient and speedy decision-making process which has resulted in an increase in the number of offers made.

 

Making well managed and timely contact with applicants has been identified as a significant factor in the conversion process.  The PGT Office and International Office are consulting all departments  and Directorates, therefore, with a view to introducing a professional and co-ordinated international applicant telephone campaign. It is hoped that this will begin in late April/early May.

 

Other examples of good recruitment practice and initiatives being carried out by departments include the increased use of scholarships and the introduction of bursaries.  Many departments have also been making visits to key markets and have been developing links with relevant institutions.

 

 UK/EU

 

Although it is very early in the recruitment cycle, as the vast majority of applicants do not submit their applications until later on in the year, applications have already fallen by 25% (from 353 to 265) compared to this time last year. The decrease is evident in all three Faculties and most departments. It should be noted, however, that offers have risen by 5.6% (from 181 to 191). 

 

PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT

 

Departments are continually reviewing their portfolio of programmes and have been developing and introducing new programmes to ensure that they meet the demands of both the UK/EU and international market. Over the past three years  28 new taught postgraduate programmes have been introduced.

 

 

MB/HEJ/TW

21 February 2006