Senate

Subject: Verification of entry qualifications

Origin: Learning and Teaching Committee, 4 June 2009

Executive Summary: This paper is an extract of the minutes of LTC discussion relating to the verification of entry qualifications, together with a summary of a detailed paper on this issue received by LTC from the Student Recruitment Team.

Senate action required: Senate approval is sought for the adoption of the procedures recommended.

The Committee considered the adoption of a procedure for verifying entry qualifications. It was noted that the Student Recruitment Team had considered four options and had recommended the adoption of a random verification process. It was felt this would offer flexibility, create a manageable level of additional work and act as a powerful deterrent if well publicised. This would be aimed principally at PG applicants.

Enhancements were also proposed to the procedures operated by the Undergraduate Admissions Office. The UCAS Verification Unit gave extra assurance in this area.

It was resolved to recommend to Senate that the verification procedures recommended by the Student Recruitment Team be adopted.

The Committee noted that if a case came to light after a student had already been admitted, that they had presented fraudulent information about their entry qualifications, the case would be dealt with as a disciplinary matter. Reference was made to the possibility of students presenting bogus English Language qualifications. It was suggested that it might be desirable to stipulate a specific level of performance in components of the IELTS test, such as writing skills; it was agreed to ask Howard Jones to raise this possibility with Admissions Tutors.

Author – Robert Bowyer

Date – June 2009