Contextual Admissions Enquiry

Eddy Zou made this Freedom of Information request to University of Manchester Automatic anti-spam measures are in place for this older request. Please let us know if a further response is expected or if you are having trouble responding.

The request was successful.

Dear University of Manchester,
I would like to ask for the following information:
(year refers to entry year, for example: 2010-2011 entry year refers to students applying in 2010, entering in 2011)

1. The first year when the university started using contextual data for admissions (in any form), and, if the university has stopped doing this, the last year of this practice
2. For each year where the university uses contextual admissions, the subjects or departments or schools that practice contextual admissions
3. For each year where the university uses contextual admissions, the list of indicators used. I would like this information on a per-application year basis (as the university may have changed the indicators). I would like to ask for detailed description of the indicators, example descriptions include: if students’ postcode was in bottom 2 quintile of Polar 3 index, if students have been in care for more than 3 months
4. For each year where the university uses contextual admissions, what the data are used for: flagging applicants, guaranteed interviews, contextual offers
5. For each year where the university uses contextual admissions, how many applications were flagged, how many applicants were given a contextual offer, and how many accepted them

Yours faithfully,

Eddy Zou

MTRS FOIA, University of Manchester

Dear Eddy,

I am writing to acknowledge your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 received by The University of Manchester yesterday, our reference as per the subject line.

The University will respond to your request within 20 working days.

Kind regards

Sharon

Sharon Glen | Information Officer | Information Governance Office | Directorate of Compliance and Risk |Professional Services | G7 Christie Building | The University of Manchester | Oxford Road | Manchester | M13 9PL | www.manchester.ac.uk

Please contact me via Teams or email as I may not be in the office to take your call.

Have you refreshed your Data Protection & Cyber Security training? Details of how staff can access the new course, are on the following IGO StaffNet page: https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/ig...

show quoted sections

MTRS FOIA, University of Manchester

Dear Eddy,

 

Thank you for your request for information received by The University of
Manchester on 8 November 2022, which was as follows:

 

I would like to ask for the following information:

(year refers to entry year, for example: 2010-2011 entry year refers to
students applying in 2010, entering in 2011)

 

1.           The first year when the university started using contextual
data for admissions (in any form), and, if the university has stopped
doing this, the last year of this practice

2.           For each year where the university uses contextual
admissions, the subjects or departments or schools that practice
contextual admissions

3.           For each year where the university uses contextual
admissions, the list of indicators used. I would like this information on
a per-application year basis (as the university may have changed the
indicators). I would like to ask for detailed description of the
indicators, example descriptions include: if students’ postcode was in
bottom 2 quintile of Polar 3 index, if students have been in care for more
than 3 months

4.           For each year where the university uses contextual
admissions, what the data are used for: flagging applicants, guaranteed
interviews, contextual offers

5.           For each year where the university uses contextual
admissions, how many applications were flagged, how many applicants were
given a contextual offer, and how many accepted them

 

The University has now considered your request and our responses can be
found below.

 

1.            The first year when the university started using contextual
data for admissions (in any form), and, if the university has stopped
doing this, the last year of this practice

 

The University first introduced the use of contextual data in the 2010
Admissions Cycle.  This has been a continued practice since then although
with various refinements made over time (see below).

 

2.            For each year where the university uses contextual
admissions, the subjects or departments or schools that practice
contextual admissions

 

When the use of contextual data was first piloted in 2010 this was limited
to Social Sciences, Physics & Astronomy, Dentistry, Foundation Year
Medicine and Optometry.  It was extended to all subject areas from 2011. 
Contextual offers were introduced in the 2019 admissions cycle and all
courses where the standard requirements are ABB or higher participate in
this scheme.  This excludes Faculty of Science and Engineering Foundation
courses, Adult Nursing, Children’s Nursing and Mental Health Nursing.

 

3.            For each year where the university uses contextual
admissions, the list of indicators used. I would like this information on
a per-application year basis (as the university may have changed the
indicators). I would like to ask for detailed description of the
indicators, example descriptions include: if students’ postcode was in
bottom 2 quintile of Polar 3 index, if students have been in care for more
than 3 months

 

Criteria Criteria
Year Criteria 1 Criteria 2 Criteria 3 4 5 Flags Usage
2010 Have a The The In-care N/A One overall Where
(Pilot) postcode in performance performance for more flag where applicants are
the most of the of the than 3 one School predicted to
deprived 30% applicant’s applicant’s months AND achieve our
of IMD ranks school or school or Postcode = standard
college at college at Y  academic entry
GCSE or A-level or OR criteria,
equivalent equivalent In Care for contextual data
level is level is more than 3 is considered
below the below the months = Y alongside
national national information on
average average the UCAS form
to provide a
fuller picture
of the
applicant.
Where
candidates with
an overall flag
meet standard
academic entry
criteria, they
are recommended
for further
consideration
by admissions
tutors. This
further
consideration
does not result
in either an
automatic offer
or a lower
offer to
candidates but
can include,
inter alia:
additional
examination of
the personal
statement;
making
available
information
about an
applicant’s
background to
interviewers;
and, further
consideration
during
confirmation of
final results.
2011 Postcode - The The In-care N/A One overall Flagged
ACORN performance performance for more flag where applicants who
Urban of the of the than 3 one School met standard
Prosperity: applicant’s applicant’s months AND academic entry
Types 21, 22 school or school or Postcode = criteria would
Comfortably college at college at Y  have their
Off: Types GCSE or A-level or OR application
24, 28, 30, equivalent equivalent In Care for recommended for
31, 32, 34 level is level is more than 3 further
Moderate below the below the months = Y consideration
Means: Types national national by admissions
37, 38, 39, average average tutors. This
40, 41, 42, further
43 consideration
Hard-Pressed: would not
44, 45, 46, result in
47, 48, 49, either an
50, 51, 52, automatic offer
53, 54, 55, or a lower
56 offer but would
include:
• additional
examination of
your personal
statement
• making
interviewers
aware of your
background
• further
consideration
during
confirmation of
final results
2012 Postcode - The The In-care N/A One overall Flagged
ACORN performance performance for more flag where applicants who
category 4 or of the of the than 3 one School met standard
5 OR POLAR2 applicant’s applicant’s months AND academic entry
quintile 1 school or school or Postcode = criteria would
college at college at Y  have their
GCSE or A-level or OR application
equivalent equivalent In Care for recommended for
level is level is more than 3 further
below the below the months = Y consideration
national national by admissions
average average tutors. This
further
consideration
would not
result in
either an
automatic offer
or a lower
offer but would
include:
• additional
examination of
your personal
statement
• making
interviewers
aware of your
background
• further
consideration
during
confirmation of
final results
2013 Postcode - The The In-care N/A Two All flagged
ACORN performance performance for more separate applicants
category 4 or of the of the than 3 flags: received
5 OR POLAR2 applicant’s applicant’s months WP Flag = additional
quintile 1 school or school or Postcode consideration. 
college at college at only The WP Plus
GCSE or A-level or WP Plus flag indicated
equivalent equivalent Flag = those who faced
level is level is Postcode further
below the below the AND School disadvantage
national national performance and so may be
average average OR In Care further
for more prioritised. 
than 3 Those who met
months standard
academic entry
criteria would
have their
application
recommended for
further
consideration
by admissions
tutors. This
further
consideration
would not
result in
either an
automatic offer
or a lower
offer but would
include:
• additional
examination of
your personal
statement
• making
interviewers
aware of your
background
• further
consideration
during
confirmation of
final results
2014 Postcode - The The In-care N/A Two All flagged
ACORN performance performance for more separate applicants
category 4 or of the of the than 3 flags: received
5 OR POLAR3 applicant’s applicant’s months WP Flag = additional
quintile 1 school or school or Postcode consideration. 
college at college at only The WP Plus
GCSE or A-level or WP Plus flag indicated
equivalent equivalent Flag = those who faced
level is level is Postcode further
below the below the AND School disadvantage
national national performance and so may be
average average OR In Care further
for more prioritised. 
than 3 Those who met
months standard
academic entry
criteria would
have their
application
recommended for
further
consideration
by admissions
tutors. This
further
consideration
would not
result in
either an
automatic offer
or a lower
offer but would
include:
• additional
examination of
your personal
statement
• making
interviewers
aware of your
background
• further
consideration
during
confirmation of
final results
2015 Postcode - The The In-care N/A Two All flagged
ACORN performance performance for more separate applicants
category 4 or of the of the than 3 flags: received
5 OR POLAR3 applicant’s applicant’s months WP Flag = additional
quintile 1 school or school or Postcode consideration. 
college at college at only The WP Plus
GCSE or A-level or WP Plus flag indicated
equivalent equivalent Flag = those who faced
level is level is Postcode further
below the below the AND School disadvantage
national national performance and so may be
average average OR In Care further
for more prioritised. 
than 3 Those who met
months standard
academic entry
criteria would
have their
application
recommended for
further
consideration
by admissions
tutors. This
further
consideration
would not
result in
either an
automatic offer
or a lower
offer but would
include:
• additional
examination of
your personal
statement
• making
interviewers
aware of your
background
• further
consideration
during
confirmation of
final results
2016 Postcode - The The In-care N/A Two All flagged
ACORN performance performance for more separate applicants
category 4 or of the of the than 3 flags: received
5 OR POLAR3 applicant’s applicant’s months WP Flag = additional
quintile 1 school or school or Postcode consideration. 
college at college at only The WP Plus
GCSE or A-level or WP Plus flag indicated
equivalent equivalent Flag = those who faced
level is level is Postcode further
below the below the AND School disadvantage
national national performance and so may be
average average OR In Care further
for more prioritised. 
than 3 Those who met
months standard
academic entry
criteria would
have their
application
recommended for
further
consideration
by admissions
tutors. This
further
consideration
would not
result in
either an
automatic offer
or a lower
offer but would
include:
• additional
examination of
your personal
statement
• making
interviewers
aware of your
background
• further
consideration
during
confirmation of
final results
2017 Postcode - The The In-care N/A Two All flagged
ACORN performance performance for more separate applicants
category 4 or of the of the than 3 flags: received
5 OR POLAR3 applicant’s applicant’s months WP Flag = additional
quintile 1 school or school or Postcode consideration. 
college at college at only The WP Plus
GCSE or A-level or WP Plus flag indicated
equivalent equivalent Flag = those who faced
level is level is Postcode further
below the below the AND School disadvantage
national national performance and so may be
average average OR In Care further
for more prioritised. 
than 3 Those who met
months standard
academic entry
criteria would
have their
application
recommended for
further
consideration
by admissions
tutors. This
further
consideration
would not
result in
either an
automatic offer
or a lower
offer but would
include:
• additional
examination of
your personal
statement
• making
interviewers
aware of your
background
• further
consideration
during
confirmation of
final results
2018 Postcode - The The In-care N/A Two All flagged
ACORN performance performance for more separate applicants
category 4 or of the of the than 3 flags: received
5 OR POLAR3 applicant’s applicant’s months WP Flag = additional
quintile 1 school or school or Postcode consideration. 
college at college at only The WP Plus
GCSE or A-level or WP Plus flag indicated
equivalent equivalent Flag = those who faced
level is level is Postcode further
below the below the AND School disadvantage
national national performance and so may be
average average OR In Care further
for more prioritised. 
than 3 Those who met
months standard
academic entry
criteria would
have their
application
recommended for
further
consideration
by admissions
tutors. This
further
consideration
would not
result in
either an
automatic offer
or a lower
offer but would
include:
• additional
examination of
your personal
statement
• making
interviewers
aware of your
background
• further
consideration
during
confirmation of
final results
2019 Postcode - The The In-care N/A Two WP Flagged
ACORN performance performance for more separate applicants
category 4 or of the of the than 3 flags: would receive
5 OR POLAR4 applicant’s applicant’s months WP Flag = further
quintile 1 school or school or Postcode consideration
college at college at only such as:
GCSE or A-level or WP Plus • additional
equivalent equivalent Flag = examination of
level is level is Postcode your personal
below the below the AND School statement
national national performance • making
average average OR In Care interviewers
for more aware of your
than 3 background
months • further
consideration
during
confirmation of
final results

WP Plus flagged
applicants were
eligible for a
one grade
contextual
offer provided
they also met
all of the
following
criteria and
selected
Manchester as
their firm
choice:
• They were
applying for a
course where
the minimum
entry
requirements
were ABB.
• Their
predicted
grades were 
within two
grades of our
minimum entry
requirements.
For example,
their predicted
grades are BBB
where the
standard entry
requirements
were AAB.
• The
qualifications
and subjects
they were
applying with
met our
published entry
requirements.
For example, if
a course
required
Chemistry and
Maths they must
have been
taking both of
these subjects.
• They
successfully
completed any
additional
selection
requirements
e.g. interview
or aptitude
test (eg UKCAT
for Medicine).
2020 Postcode - The The In-care N/A Two WP Flagged
ACORN performance performance for more separate applicants
category 4 or of the of the than 3 flags: would receive
5 OR POLAR4 applicant’s applicant’s months WP Flag = further
quintile 1 school or school or Postcode consideration
college at college at only such as:
GCSE or A-level or WP Plus • additional
equivalent equivalent Flag = examination of
level is level is Postcode your personal
below the below the AND School statement
national national performance • making
average average OR In Care interviewers
for more aware of your
than 3 background
months • further
consideration
during
confirmation of
final results

WP Plus flagged
applicants were
eligible for a
one grade
contextual
offer provided
they also met
all of the
following
criteria and
selected
Manchester as
their firm
choice:
• They were
applying for a
course where
the minimum
entry
requirements
were ABB.
• Their
predicted
grades were 
within two
grades of our
minimum entry
requirements.
For example,
their predicted
grades are BBB
where the
standard entry
requirements
were AAB.
• The
qualifications
and subjects
they were
applying with
met our
published entry
requirements.
For example, if
a course
required
Chemistry and
Maths they must
have been
taking both of
these subjects.
• They
successfully
completed any
additional
selection
requirements
e.g. interview
or aptitude
test (eg UKCAT
for Medicine).
2021 Postcode - The The In-care N/A Two WP Flagged
ACORN performance performance for more separate applicants
category 4 or of the of the than 3 flags: would receive
5 OR POLAR4 applicant’s applicant’s months WP Flag = further
quintile 1 school or school or Postcode consideration
college at college at only such as:
GCSE or A-level or WP Plus • additional
equivalent equivalent Flag = examination of
level is level is Postcode your personal
below the below the AND School statement
national national performance • making
average average OR In Care interviewers
for more aware of your
than 3 background
months • further
consideration
during
confirmation of
final results

WP Plus flagged
applicants were
eligible for a
one grade
contextual
offer provided
they also met
the following
criteria:
• They were
applying for a
course where
the minimum
entry
requirements
were ABB.
• Their
predicted
grades were 
within two
grades of our
minimum entry
requirements.
For example,
their predicted
grades are BBB
where the
standard entry
requirements
were AAB.
• The
qualifications
and subjects
they were
applying with
met our
published entry
requirements.
For example, if
a course
required
Chemistry and
Maths they must
have been
taking both of
these subjects.
• They
successfully
completed any
additional
selection
requirements
e.g. interview
or aptitude
test (eg UKCAT
for Medicine).

There was no
longer a need
to select
Manchester as
their firm
choice.
2022 Postcode - The The In-care Refugee Three WP Flagged
ACORN performance performance for more status flags: applicants
category 4 or of the of the than 3 WP Flag = would receive
5 OR POLAR4 applicant’s applicant’s months Postcode further
quintile 1 school or school or only consideration
college at college at WP Plus such as:
GCSE or A-level or Flag = • additional
equivalent equivalent Postcode examination of
level is level is AND School your personal
below the below the performance statement
national national WP Plus • making
average average PLUS Flag = interviewers
In care for aware of your
more than background
three • further
months OR consideration
granted during
refugee confirmation of
status final results

WP Plus flagged
applicants were
eligible for a
one grade
contextual
offer and WP
Plus PLUS a two
grade
contextual
offer provided
they also met
the following
criteria:
• They were
applying for a
course where
the minimum
entry
requirements
were ABB.
• Their
predicted
grades were 
within two
grades of our
minimum entry
requirements.
For example,
their predicted
grades are BBB
where the
standard entry
requirements
were AAB.
• The
qualifications
and subjects
they were
applying with
met our
published entry
requirements.
For example, if
a course
required
Chemistry and
Maths they must
have been
taking both of
these subjects.
• They
successfully
completed any
additional
selection
requirements
e.g. interview
or aptitude
test (eg UKCAT
for Medicine).
2023 Postcode - The The In-care Refugee Three WP Flagged
ACORN performance performance for more status flags: applicants
category 4 or of the of the than 3 WP Flag = would receive
5 OR POLAR4 applicant’s applicant’s months Postcode further
quintile 1 school or school or only consideration
college at college at WP Plus such as:
GCSE or A-level or Flag = • additional
equivalent equivalent Postcode examination of
level is level is AND School your personal
below the below the performance statement
national national WP Plus • making
average average PLUS Flag = interviewers
In care for aware of your
more than background
three • further
months OR consideration
granted during
refugee confirmation of
status final results

WP Plus flagged
applicants are
eligible for a
one grade
contextual
offer and WP
Plus PLUS a two
grade
contextual
offer provided
they also met
the following
criteria:
• They are
applying for a
course where
the minimum
entry
requirements
were ABB.
• Their
predicted
grades are
within two
grades of our
minimum entry
requirements.
For example,
their predicted
grades are BBB
where the
standard entry
requirements
are AAB.
• The
qualifications
and subjects
they are
applying with
meet our
published entry
requirements.
For example, if
a course
requires
Chemistry and
Maths they must
be taking both
of these
subjects.
• They
successfully
complete any
additional
selection
requirements
e.g. interview
or aptitude
test (eg UKCAT
for Medicine).

 

4.            For each year where the university uses contextual
admissions, what the data are used for: flagging applicants, guaranteed
interviews, contextual offers

 

See table above

 

5.            For each year where the university uses contextual
admissions, how many applications were flagged, how many applicants were
given a contextual offer, and how many accepted them

               

  Applications Offers Acceptances*
2019 7962 3706 560
2020 8459 3747 589
2021 8768 3859 533
2022 10302 4252 747

 

Note: * Acceptance here relates to both an acceptance of the offer by the
applicant and the subsequent acceptance by the University to the grades
achieved.

 

I hope you find the information provided above of use. 

 

If you feel that The University of Manchester has refused access to
information to which you are entitled, or has not dealt with your request
appropriately under the FOIA, you have a right of appeal.

 

An appeal in the first instance should be directed to the Information
Governance Office at [1][email address]. You should include: 

 

·         details of your initial request

·         any other relevant information

 

You must make this appeal within 40 working days from receipt of your
response. We will not accept appeals received after this date, as per the
Freedom of Information Code of Practice, Section 5.3.

 

The University will deal with your appeal within a reasonable time, and
will inform you of the projected time scale on receipt of your complaint.
You are also welcome to contact the Information Governance Office with
informal questions about the handling of your request. 

 

After The University’s internal appeals procedure has been exhausted, you
have a further right of appeal to the Information Commissioner’s
Office. Details of this procedure can be found at [2]www.ico.org.uk.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Paula

 

Paula Egerton| Information Officer | Information Governance Office |
Directorate of Compliance and Risk |Professional Services | G.007 Christie
Building | The University of Manchester | Oxford Road | Manchester | M13
9PL | [3]www.manchester.ac.uk

I am currently unavailable by telephone but happy to speak via Teams.

 

My usual working days are full days Monday Tuesday and Thursday mornings. 
I job-share with Polly Smith who usually works Wednesday morning, Thursday
and Friday.

 

 

 

show quoted sections

Dear MTRS FOIA,

Many thanks for your reply! Unfortunately, the text is structured a bit strange on the internet web browser, so I can't read a large part of the reply. Would you mind sending me a reply in pdf/doc format instead?

Yours sincerely,

Eddy Zou

MTRS FOIA, University of Manchester

1 Attachment

Dear Eddy,

I have attached the response as a PDF.

Kind regards

Sharon

Sharon Glen | Information Officer | Information Governance Office | Directorate of Compliance and Risk |Professional Services | G7 Christie Building | The University of Manchester | Oxford Road | Manchester | M13 9PL | www.manchester.ac.uk

Please contact me via Teams or email as I may not be in the office to take your call.

Have you refreshed your Data Protection & Cyber Security training? Details of how staff can access the new course, are on the following IGO StaffNet page: https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/ig...

show quoted sections